Libertarians to Shelley: Decertify Voting Machines

Political organization calls on California Secretary of State to decertify Diebold voting machines used in 17 counties and demands criminal sanctions.

Wildomar, CA (PRWEB) December 28, 2003 --Concerned over the recent revelation that 17 California counties were using voting machines with uncertified software, the Libertarian Political Action Alliance (LPAA) is today calling on Secretary of State Kevin Shelley to decertify all voting machines in each of the tainted 17 counties. Decertification is the first step toward establishing a trustworthy electronic voting system in California," said Gene Trosper, founder of the LPAA.

On Tuesday, December 16, at a meeting of the states Voting Systems Panel, Diebold admitted wrongdoing by installing machines that did not meet basic scrutiny. California Elections Code, Division 19, addresses the approval process for voting systems. Without meeting this requirement, the specter of fraudulent or inaccurate totals loom over the election process. It is criminal that both Diebold and the individual counties using the uncertified software overlooked this important requirement. The potential for vote fraud is so great, it would easily make the Florida debacle of 2000 look minor in comparison," stated Trosper. Basic oversight was lacking to the degree that tampered or corrupted software could have easily been utilized. After all, how would county elections officials know otherwise if no one bothered to certify the software?"

Although there is no evidence of vote tampering or other problems, the LPAA strongly urges Secretary of State Shelley to take immediate action and decertify the machines. Furthermore, we demand criminal sanctions for those who willfully and negligently allowed use of these machines in an election.

Government constantly asks that citizens give them trust. However, by allowing the use of uncertified software in an astounding 17 counties, we cannot with good conscience give government the trust they think is deserved. Its certainly not earned," concluded Trosper.

The Libertarian Political Action Alliance is a non-partisan organization dedicated to working for limited government, tolerance, individual liberty, peace, and free trade.

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