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Top To Bottom Review

In 2007, California Secretary of State had the University of California conduct a top to bottom review of three voting systems used in the state. As you can read below, results were devastating.

Sign A Petition Supporting Bowen :
www.CourageCampaign.org/page/s/secureelections

Secretary of State's Official Web Page :
www.SoS.Ca.gov/elections/elections_vsr.htm

Frequently Asked Questions, and Answers :
A few responses to criticisms of the fact that Secretary Bowen is doing the job for which the people of California elected her.
www.CountedAsCast.com/california/toptobottomreviewfaqs.php

ES&S In Trouble In California

Official notice of public hearing for ES&S Automarks, Sept. 20, 07 :
www.SoS.Ca.gov/elections/voting_systems/ess_automark_public_hearing_notice_080907.pdf

"Not only did ES&S sell machines to California counties that weren’t state certified, it’s clear the machines weren’t even federally certified when the company delivered them to California ... While ES&S may not like California law, I expect the company to follow the law and not trample over it by selling uncertified voting equipment in this state. ... “If ES&S has broken the law and misled counties into buying nearly 1,000 uncertified machines, I intend to go after the company for the full $9.72 million in penalties allowable by law, along with the original $5 million the company took from counties’ pockets, "

- Secretary Bowen as cited in a press release, 8/07

"ES&S to be Rebuked, Fined and Possibly Banned in CA?"
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/08/ess-to-be-rebuk.html

"ES&S to Face Millions in Fines, Possible Decertification in CA for Use of Uncertified Voting Systems!"
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4985

Reports

UC Source Code Team Reports :
"We found pervasive security weaknesses throughout the Sequoia software. Virtually every important software security mechanism is vulnerable to circumvention."
www.CountedAsCast.com/california/sourcecodereports.php

UC Red Team Reports :
"The red teams demonstrated that the security mechanisms provided for all systems analyzed were inadequate to ensure accuracy and integrity of the election results and of the systems that provide those results."
www.CountedAsCast.com/california/redteamreports.php

UC Accessibility Report :
This is probably the first good, systematic review of how well three companies (do not) succeed in making voting systems accessible to all.
www.SoS.Ca.gov/elections/voting_systems/ttbr/accessibility_review_report_california_ttb_absolute_final_version16.pdf

Links

Commentary By Dr. Matt Blaze :
Dr. Blaze led the group that reviewed the Sequoia system's code.
"I was especially struck by the utter banality of most of the flaws we discovered...."
www.CountedAsCast.com/california/mattblaze.php

Jerry Berkman's Web Site :

California Decert/Recert Scorecard :
A summary of what changes are required to use the voting systems.
http://Election-Reform.org/california_review/scorecard.html

Newspaper Articles on Secretary Bowen's Decertification/Recertification Action :
http://Election-Reform.org/decert_articles.html

Points Supporting Secretary Bowen's Decertification/Recertification Action :
This page also has links to how and where to write letters to the editor.
http://Election-Reform.org/letter_re_decert.html
See also : www.CountedAsCast.com/resources/media.php

Support from the California Democratic Party :

"... Secretary Bowen has the constitutional authority and responsibility to test and certify the voting systems. Secretary Bowen should be commended for her determination to ensure that all voting machines used in California are accurate, secure and accessible, and that every ballot is counted exactly as it is cast. ... We further call on all civic groups, Democratic Clubs and Central Committees to join us in providing active support for the implementation of the review's findings. ..."

Click here for the full CDP statement

Public Comment Hearing, July 30, 07 :


The public had the opportunity to comment on Secretary Bowen's Top to Bottom Review, and many citizens spoke. The first half hour of both the video and audio had problems with low sound volume. It improves afterwards.

MP3 audio files of each speech :
http://UsableSecurity.com/ttbr/

Secretary Bowen's comments (10 mins) :
http://usablesecurity.com/ttbr/a02.mp3

Dr Matt Bishop's comments (34 mins) :
http://usablesecurity.com/ttbr/a04.mp3

The 7(?) hours long streaming video is at :
www.CalChannel.com/search.php?date=073007&source=All&type=All&title=&Search=Submit

The transcript can be downloaded from:
www.SoS.Ca.gov/elections/voting_systems/ttbr/hearing_transcripts_073007.pdf (274 pgs, 259 KB).

Links to more information and resources on elections in California :
www.CountedAsCast.com/california/california.php

Links to information about Debra Bowen's 2006 campaign for Secretary of State can be found here :
www.DebraBowen.com
and here: www.CountedAsCast.com/bowen/bowen.php
This is one elected official who keeps her promises!

Nobody, and no machine, should be counting American votes in secret.