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Alaska Officials Won't Turn Over Diebold Voting Files

(Mis)Uses of Technology

from the proprietary-data dept

Tue, Jan 24th 2006 7:59pm — Mike Masnick
The saga of Diebold continues, this time in a different state. According to Slashdot, a group has requested the data from voting machines in Alaska to examine them for problems, but Diebold is refusing, saying the data format is a trade secret. The company has volunteered to convert the data to something like Excel, but there are concerns that in transferring, important information will be lost. As some e-voting reform advocates point out, it's a bit silly for Diebold to claim that their file format is a trade secret, as it's been revealed in other states and on some websites as well. Either way, shouldn't it be a concern to everyone that our voting records are being held in some sort of proprietary data format and cannot be revealed? You would think it should be a requirement that at least the data format is open.
4 Comments

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  • identicon
    Blake eggemeyer, 24 Jan 2006 @ 8:29pm

    Give it up

    The files should be treated the same as a paper ballot would, in that it should be open to the inspection in its native format. Its simple, if your are a link in the chain of the voting system, you must be open to inspection, no questions asked, no red tape road blocks, the voting system must be transparent.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Andrew Strasser, 24 Jan 2006 @ 11:46pm

    Alaska

    Richst state in the nation... What are they like the stupidest people alive. The one state they can't tick off is the one that supplies 90% of it's oil revuenues alone to China.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Keith A., 25 Jan 2006 @ 1:24am

      Re: Alaska

      What? oil revenues, China??????? Way to start off on an intelligent foot.......let's make a rash generalization about a place we have never been and who's citizens we have never met. NICE. Very topical to. I tend to agree with the OTHER poster, voting machines and their code should be transparent to the voters. By blocking requests at every turn, Diebold is creating problems for itself and fueling speculation of fraud.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Alaric, 25 Jan 2006 @ 8:57am

    Enough with Diebold

    Diebold's evasive and undemocratic behavior continues. What are they hiding? Their "proprietary micracle" code? I don't buy it.

    This is company's behavor makes clear the need for transparent voting software or preferably a return to paper ballots.

    The results of their continual refusal to comply with reasonable and democratic guidelines means they should be banned from selling E-voting or any other voting machine in this country (and hopefully every other country).

    Strike three diebold. Its time to kick these clowns out.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]


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