Voting Machine Fraud

[joshuak]

Jimmy Margulies, New Jersey -- The Record, 11/04/08

Shown in this picture is a man on his way to a voting machine to cast his vote. The man says that he still doesn't know who he wants to vote for and the machine responds with, "Don't sweat it, I'll decide for you!" Also, in the picture you see that on the voting machine screen it reads, "Voting Machine Flaws". This represents all of the problems about the technology and reliability of the new voting machines.

During the past couple of elections many doubts have been presented involving the new voting machines used in elections. Recently a rumor surfaced about the ability to "fix" the voting machines. In a report prepared by Hursti, demonstrated the ability to hack a voting machine. The average poll user could apply the hack to a voting machine and the hack would control every aspect of the machine, including but not limited to the counting of votes. It is almost impossible to catch one of these hacks because certain hacks can force the machine to show that the repair was a success. Recent research also shows that a "malicious" software can easily steal votes with "little or no detection". Many people are becoming more and more insecure about the voting process. With no idea whether a vote will be counted for the wrong person, not read right, or just not counted all together, the people of the United States can do nothing besides show up, vote, and hope the machines work properly. Theres no doubt that people tamper with the machines and there is no doubt that some votes weren't counted properly. We can hope as much as we want, but the truth of the matter is, no matter how safe we think we are, there is always going to be someone or something that affects everything in a negative way.

[gretchenm]

I worked at the polls this year and witnessed careful security. Everything is sealed and is only opened in sight of all poll workers and a clerk, who take an oath. People sign their names, and the EVID workers that print voting passes have their initials on each pass. The votes were on paper ballots this year, so if questioned they could be looked at. I do agree with you that there is opposition in all things, and there's always that possibility that something could happen. That is a frightening thought! I did not know the specific information about hacking and how easy it was. Despite yearning I have to have faith and confidence, I too am suspicious. One comment about your paragraphs, the facts in the second could be in the first as background information, but it flowed well with your argument either way.

[Mr. Wells]

Great work, Josh. I would have liked to have seen a reference for the work to which you alluded. The syntax of that sentence, too, is a bit awkward. Good research though.

50/50