We! The People Webzine: Here's A Chance to Affect Voter Integrity Legislation by Joan Brunwasser

by Joan Brunwasser
January 8, 2007

We voters have an opportunity now to register our commitment to free, fair, secure, accurate and more transparent elections. After November, it has become increasingly clear even to elected officials, the recalcitrant mainstream media and the average person on the street, that there is something desperately wrong with our elections.

When the new session of Congress opens in a few weeks, there will be a mad rush to push through legislation that will 'deal' with the problem. The problem, however, is very complex and demands careful attention so as not to repeat the horrible outcome that was HAVA (Help America Vote Act of 2002 which has been unaffectionately known as "Leave No Voting Company Behind"). Four billion tax dollars have gotten us a system that puts private companies in the driver's seat at the expense of the voter/taxpayer. If you don't believe me, look to the state of Alaska, where citizens had to sue the state to get the public record (ballots from 2004). First, they were stalled by state officials, and then the voting machine vendor declared that the information was proprietary and belonged to Diebold and therefore would not be released. Then, state officials declared that releasing the information would be a threat to national security. That is a pretty scary statement; I don't even want to consider its implications.

Only after two years was the information finally turned over. Investigators discovered that the data had been accessed and altered in 2006, before being turned over to the public. Does anyone see a problem here?

Democracy is supposed to serve the public, not the interests of private corporations or the convenience of elected officials or those in charge of the elections. If something has to be sacrificed, it should not be election integrity. This should be a given. It's a mark of where we are that it has to be spelled out and emphasized.

As 2006 comes to a close and we stand on the cusp of a new year and a chance to put things right, please take a few minutes to read the enclosed material. What happens now in the coming months will determine our future and the fate of everyone outside our borders affected by our actions. The defense of democracy has claimed many lives over our history; now, you have an opportunity to make a difference without risking your life to do so. To do nothing will further jeopardize that future. It is a stark choice; hopefully, it is an easy one.

Please pass this on to anyone and everyone who values democracy and yearns for a brighter future for us and our children. This is an issue that transcends all political rhetoric and affects the outcome of any item on your agenda: whether it is the war in Iraq, the economy, the Supreme Court, the erosion of checks and balances, civil liberties, social programs, prescription drugs, Katrina, Social Security, etc. etc. etc.

Thank you for your time. I promise that it is well spent. Those of us who have worked hard for election integrity over the last months and years have been happy to do so. But, it's time to share the heavy lifting. Please join us.