[NYTr] California Restricts Voting Machines

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by Ed Pearl

AP via The New York Times - Aug 4, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Voting-Machines.html


California Restricts Voting Machines

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California's top elections official placed
rigorous security conditions on voting equipment used in dozens of
counties and limited the use of two of the most widely used machines
statewide.

Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced the measures minutes before
midnight Friday, making good on a promise to tell counties at least
six months before California's Feb. 5 presidential primary if their
voting equipment would be decertified.

The announcement leaves the most affected counties with little time
to find alternate equipment in time for the primary. The decision
follows an eight-week security review of voting systems used in all
but a few of California's 58 counties.

<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_california/index.html?inline=nyt-org>University
of California computer experts found that voting machines sold by
three companies -- Diebold Election Systems, Hart InterCivic and
Sequoia Voting Systems -- were vulnerable to hackers and that voting
results could be altered.

Bowen said she had decertified the machines, then recertified them on
the condition they meet her new security standards. She also limited
the Diebold and Sequoia machines to one per polling place. That will
force some counties to find replacement equipment on a tight schedule.

Bowen ordered the review, which was released last week, to ensure
California would not face the same doubts about the accuracy of its
voting systems that hit Florida after the 2000 election and Ohio in
2004.

The additional requirements she imposed included banning all modem or
wireless connections to the machines to prevent them from being
linked to an outside computer or the Internet. She also required a
full manual count of all votes cast on Diebold or Sequoia machines to
ensure accuracy.

Bowen said the study revealed some vulnerabilities that would allow
hackers to manipulate the systems ''with little chance of detection
and with dire consequences.'' Her review also found that the machines
posed problems for disabled voters.

Company officials have downplayed the results of Bowen's review,
saying they reflected unrealistic, worst-case scenarios that would be
counteracted by security measures taken by the companies and local
election officials.

Officials with Sequoia said they were disappointed with Bowen's
withdrawal of the company's certification but would make necessary
improvements. They said their equipment is accurate and secure.

Hart InterCivic issued a news release defending its equipment and
promising to comply with Bowen's requirements.

A message left with Diebold early Saturday was not immediately returned.

Machines made by a fourth company, Election Systems & Software, were
not included in the review because it was late providing information
the secretary of state's office needed, said Nicole Winger, a
spokeswoman for Bowen.

The secretary of state launched a separate review of that company's
Inkavote Plus system, which is used only in Los Angeles County. On
Friday, Bowen said she had decertified that equipment but would
review and reconsider it.

Related:

Scientists' Tests Hack into Electronic Voting Machines 
in California and Elsewhere
The New York Times - Jul 28, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/28/us/28vote.html