How did Maryland end up with e-poll books instead of paper ballot optical scanners? Hint - it isnt' the activists fault.
Gail Ewing: Accountable voting put on hold 3/12/2010 "How can Florida, North Carolina and so many other states already have op scan, but we can't do it here in Maryland?" ~ Gail Ewing of Potomac is a retired at-large Montgomery CO. Council member.
The answer is - Linda Lamone. Maryland had the money to buy the optical scanners back in 2006. Then Governor Ehrlich allocated $28.5 million for optical-scanners in March 2006. But State Election Chief Linda Lamone spent the money on Diebold electronic poll books instead, causing nothing but problems for judges when the poll books malfunctioned. Lamone was later censured by the next Governor O' Malley for allowing Diebold to use her picture and endorsement in sales literature featuring the poll books.
This post is to provide a timeline onhow funds for MD optical scan were diverted, where those funds came from,how those funds were diverted to e-poll books, and reliability of poll books. Item list is expanded lower down the page. Remember that you can create a denial of service to voters if poll books fail, if they operate incorrectly, or if there are not enough of them at polling place. Avi Rubin recommends a paper backup. There are also privacy issues not addressed.
03/25/2006 GOV EHRLICH PROPOSES FUNDS FOR OPTICAL SCAN FROM SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-03-25/news/0603250354_1_supplemental-budget-voting-machines-ehrlich
05/08/2006 NO BID E-POLLBOOK DEAL WITH DIEBOLD
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1271&Itemid=113
06/07/2006 LAMONE PURCHASES E-POLL BOOKS
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jun/07/20060607-104142-6861r/
09/16/2006 LAMONE'S EPOLL BOOK PURCHASE DIVERTED FUNDS FOR OPTICAL SCAN
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1783&Itemid=113
10/15/2006 EPOLL BOOKS FAILED MISERABLY IN SEPT 2006 PRIMARYELECTION
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1886&Itemid=113
11/07/2006 E-POLL BOOKS IMPROVED BUT STILL PROBLEMS IN NOV 7 2006 GEN. ELECTION-BACKUP RECOMMENDED
http://avi-rubin.blogspot.com/2006/11/my-day-at-polls-maryland-general.html
02/25/2007 ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS REPORTED IN MARYLANDS 2006 PRIMARY ELECTION
http://www.saveourvotes.org/reports/PrimaryProblemsReport.pdf
04/10/2007 PAPER BALLOT LAW PASSED IN APRIL 2007
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2369&Itemid=113
02/12/2008 E-POLL BOOKS STILL PROBLEMS-BREAKDOWNS, NOT ENOUGH MACHINES = BOTTLENECK IN 2008 ELECTIONS
http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=7533
11/04/2008 E-POLL BOOKS STILL PROBLEMS-BREAKDOWNS, NOT ENOUGH MACHINES = BOTTLENECK IN 2008 ELECTIONS
http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=8136
03/12/2010 2010 AND STILL NO MONEY IN BUDGET FOR OPTICAL SCAN SYSTEMS
http://www.gazette.net/stories/03122010/policol175947_32553.php
GOV EHRLICH PROPOSES FUNDS FOR OPTICAL SCAN FROM SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
Added funds for voting machines
March 25, 2006|By JILL ROSEN | JILL ROSEN,SUN REPORTER
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is proposing to spend an additional $28.5 million on optical-scan voting machines for this year's elections and lesser amounts in new expenditures for local road projects and health care.
The new spending is contained in a $59.5 million supplemental budget the governor released late yesterday, just as the legislative session enters its final two weeks and senators and delegates are already working to mold budget legislation.
"This supplemental budget provides resources to secure Maryland's election system with optical-scan voting machines and also makes critical investments in health care," Ehrlich said in a statement. "I look forward to working with all members of the House and Senate to ensure this budget is adopted."
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-03-25/news/0603250354_1_supplemental-budget-voting-machines-ehrlich
NO BID E-POLLBOOK DEAL WITH DIEBOLD
$13M No Bid E-Pollbook Deal with Diebold Draws Fire
By TrueVoteMD - May 08, 2006
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1271&Itemid=113
LAMONE PURCHASES E-POLL BOOKS
Electronic poll books contract approved (total $19.4 M)
June 7, 2006. ANNAPOLIS (AP) -- The state Board of Public Works, with reluctant support from Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., approved a $2.4 million contract yesterday to buy computer poll books that will be used at early voting sites for the September primary.
...The state will need 5,500 machines at an estimated $16 million to $17 million to cover all polling places on Election Day, Mr. Goldstein said.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jun/07/20060607-104142-6861r/
LAMONE'S EPOLL BOOK PURCHASED DIVERTED FUNDS FOR OPTICAL SCAN
Maryland: Report from Prince George County
by A.C. Tanner - September 16, 2006
The electronic poll book usage seems to have been a true fiasco, and the blame for that lies squarely on the State BOE and its director, Linda Lamone, who spent the money that the Governor allocated for optical scan machines on these poll books, which caused nothing but problems for judges.
Then Governor Ehrlich allocated $28.5 million for optical-scanners in March 2006.
http://www.votetrustusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1783&Itemid=113
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
