Effective use of data can help pinpoint problems and where to focus. The issue of lengthy lines has not been studied sufficiently--of course when the polls open lines are bound to be long, but the extent of the problem has not yet been determined because all data haven't been studied--six states experienced problems in this area in 2012, but ALL CITIES experienced this same inconvenience. I asked the professor later if he'd heard of Greg Palast's work. He indicated yes but that queuing theory would be most helpful in addressing the issue. Dr. Stewart said that most recently lines had been cut by 50 to 75 percent in South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida.
The subtitle of his project's latest research report is "Doing Better but Being Worst"!
He said that voters in the West vote differently (VBM is spreading), but that voters in one state are unaware of how those in other states vote. There are about two hundred thousand precincts in the country and a million poll workers (average age 37 years old, it was pointed out later); 41 percent voted early in 2016. Data aggregation level has increased in all areas but there is need for more local level studies, as far down as individual neighborhoods. In answer to an audience question, the least progress has been made at the level of polling place-related issues.
In Nevada a compelling issue is voter ignorance of so much important information, said SoS Cegavske. The number of early voters depends on scheduling--there are bound to be more on weekends (NOT my experience in DC!), and of course polling locations are crucial--they must be convenient for voters. In California in 2008, said Mr. Scarpello, as many voted early as on Election Day. He re-emphasized the importance of voter education. If the data are considered properly, for instance, losing candidates are reassured that totals announced are accurate.
When I asked him about interstate crosschecking among state-level computerized voter rolls, Dr. Stewart said that ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center, Inc.) is a far better database to use than the sources now consulted by the program; the real problems are experienced at the state and local levels.
After the break, EAC Head Commissioner Matthew Masterson moderated the panel "Election Security: Solutions and Opportunities," which featured Jeremy Epstein, National Science Foundation's Deputy Division Director for Computer and Network Systems Researc:; Secretary Nellie Gorbea, Rhode Island Secretary of State; David Stafford, Supervisor of Elections, Escambia County, Florida; and Kim Wyman, Washington Secretary of State.
Mr. Epstein, first to speak, said that he was glad that the Department of Homeland Security had been handed the job of maintaining election integrity from the failed commission established by Trump a scant few months ago. Any election system can be broken into, he said. WHAT CAN WE DO? Alabama published a report that recently convinced Virginia to switch from DREs to optical scanner voting. We must dump all DREs, which are still in use by 25 percent of voters in this country. Internet voting is disastrous and must be avoided; both the Pentagon and banks' websites can be invaded, among other "secure" places in cyberspace. We need paper ballots, an effective chain of custody, monitoring, and accurate record keeping.
Ms. Gorbea reminded us that her state, Rhode Island, was the first to declare its independence from England. Working with EAC and DHS convinced her that her state's election systems, 20-year-old optical scanners, were out of date and so the state purchased new ones in time for Election 2016. Automatic voter registration is being implemented, which simplifies the need for voter outreach and improving access to the ballot box.
In Washington state, said SoS Wyman, 4 million voters are registered. Washington was the second state, after Oregon, to initiate vote by mail (VBM) and predicts that it will spread to the East [I have been told that VBM is so popular out West because of vast rural spaces and resulting distances between polls locations, but certainly other factors must be in play]. She said that the closest gubernatorial race in U.S. history took place in Washington. At her site online, voters can register, check their status, study the ballot layout, and much more
In Florida, said Mr. Masterson, there are three ways to vote: VBM, early voting (EV), and regular Election Day voting. In 2000, 86 percent of votes were counted, while in 2016, only 31 percent were. Voting methods are diverse throughout the state, but the conversation has broadened. There is a gaping need for election security. There is now an emphasis on education, with the University of West Florida actively involved, which will benefit both academics and election officials. Florida has requested $4 million from the federal government for cybersecurity, which is more robust at the state than local level.
"You're as strong as your weakest point," he told Sos Gorbea. SoS Wyman spoke of a Microsoft conference in 2015 where attendees were told that millions of hackers attempt to invade their database every day. They have to be vigilant all day and night. According to DHS, the weakest link in election infrastructure is evident when an election clerk opens up a file attached to an email.
" On a more positive note, Dr. Stewart remarked that 90 percent of voters expressed confidence in their electoral system according to a poll taken in 2016. Voters take voting seriously. Helping election officials is productive. Mr. Epstein said that a great way to get more young people [the group least likely to vote] involved in elections is to send discarded voting machines to their classrooms and pique their interest early.
Asked Mr. Masterson, What can election officials do about cybersecurity--among Virginia's 130 voting localities the small ones don't have enough staff to deal with IT issues, and this point was mentioned again and again: the importance of educating more and more of poll workers in IT. SoS Gorbea said that she has grown her state's IT department by 40 percent. Transparency is crucial to democracy. SoS Wyman shifted the subject to the difficulty of obtaining information from DHS; even the fact that 21 state elections were hacked into during Election 2016 was classified. But DHS wouldn't publicize the list of relevant states, even though the information could be easily gleaned among the states involved. More interaction with DHS is necessary, said Mr. Stafford; it is not used to transparency. The public must know what's being done.** There must be more interaction among election officials as well.
Mr. Epstein said that Internet voting is just not the answer to any issues at this point: "We're not close to ready for internet voting now."
Mr. Stafford lamented the existence of many other areas of government deeply in need of more resources: "What's more important? Elections or public safety"? All states have different needs, said SoS Gorbea.
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