[ale] Voting machines

[Bob]

The current process is a huge improvement over the previous machines. 
One problem with the current system is that typically the machines only 
use the QR code---the text is ignored.  One silver lining of the close 
election is that the manual recount count used text while the official 
audit used the QR codes, and the two were quite close, which suggests 
that the QR codes and text generally do agree.

According to the court documents related to the election, the machines 
were or are supposed to be upgraded so that they would read the text 
instead of the QR codes.

A paper system (with maybe a machine for the disabled who could use a 
machine but not paper) would be a further improvement.

Another problem with machines is that if there is a disputed election, a 
court might order that the state of the machines be left intact during 
litigation preventing them from being used in upcoming election.

--Bob


On 2020-12-08 11:23 a.m., Jim Kinney via Ale wrote:
> The current process with text and QR codes is an improvement. If the validation also includes extensive spot checks that QR matches text, it's a good indicator things are OK.
> 
> I've not seen if that was done but it seems the powers that run the election are trying to get it into an acceptable process.
> 
> If the scanner into the bin also included a display with a choice to approve of disapprove the scanning, that would satisfy me the scanner works as designed. If approved, votes are cast. If not, ballot is rejected and some validation testing is done including destruction of ballot and recreation of ballot by voter.
> 
> 
> 
> On December 8, 2020 10:21:31 AM EST, Adrya Stembridge via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:
>> Is there still a lingering belief that Georgia's election results
>> (specifically) are suspect?  The Carter Center independently oversaw
>> the
>> election and hand paper recounts and found zero evidence of fraud.  The
>> big
>> question is in light of what evidence is available, should we distrust
>> Georgia's new voting machines going forward?
>>
>> On Tue, Dec 8, 2020 at 10:16 AM Bruno Bronosky via Ale <ale at ale.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah, I don't think we should engage it support or position to
>> political
>>> candidates or parties on this list. We have, however, discussed
>> policies
>>> since it's inception. We have always limited those policy discussions
>> to
>>> what is relevant to Open Source software. I would like to think that
>> we can
>>> ignore the candidates and come together around the idea that
>> transparent
>>> and accurate elections are essential. As "software socialists" I
>> don't
>>> think any of us are likely to find a politician* we would feel
>> justified in
>>> advocating** for to this audience (**which is what we all want to
>> avoid).
>>> For that reason I don't think we need to be afraid to discuss voting
>>> technology.
>>>
>>> * I've never heard of a major politician insisting that any software
>>> purchased by the government is owned by the tax payers and that at a
>>> minimum we should all be free to run it, but ultimately we should
>> also be
>>> Free to exercise the 4 Freedoms of Free Software.
>>>
>>> On Mon, Dec 7, 2020 at 10:24 PM SpaXpert, Inc. <spaxpert at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> It's the biggest hot potato of the century Bruno.  I get it that
>> nobody
>>>> wants to speak up because that could cause a huge political divide
>> amongst
>>>> the ALE group. We really don't need this discourse as we all seem to
>> get
>>>> along here with our problem solving and missions in mind.
>>>> Take care man.
>>>> Doug
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Dec 7, 2020 at 11:16 PM Bruno Bronosky via Ale <ale at ale.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I know this used to be a big issue with this group. I'm surprised
>>>>> there's no talk of it now.
>>>>> --
>>>>> .!# BrunoBronosky #!.
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> https://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>>>>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
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>>>>>
>>>> --
>>> .!# BrunoBronosky #!.
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> 
> 
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