Woman crusades to expose e-voting 'flaws'
'We have a train wreck that's definitely going to happen'
Monday, July 5, 2004 Posted: 10:09 AM EDT (1409 GMT)
SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- Bev Harris didn't set out to become a muckraking voting technology expert.
A literary publicist accustomed to working with manuscripts and authors in suburban Seattle, she preferred doting on her new grandchild to debating politics. She still doesn't vote regularly.
But when Harris was idly surfing the Web during a lunch break two years ago, she became obsessed with an issue essential to democracy, quickly becoming the unlikely center of a movement to ensure integrity in the nation's voting systems.
Ambushing registrars and tracking down executives at their homes and offices, Harris, 52, has uncovered conflicts of interests and security flaws inside the companies that make electronic ballot machines.
Searching the Web and poring over newspaper clippings, Harris has unearthed obscure arrest records, ties to conservative political groups and other embarrassing secrets of senior executives at voting companies.
Her conclusion: there will be so many problems with the more than 100,000 paperless voting terminals to be used in the November presidential election that the fiasco will dwarf Florida's hanging chad debacle of 2000.
"We have a train wreck that's definitely going to happen," Harris said. "We have conflict of interest, we've taken the checks and balances away, and we know the votes are already being miscounted fairly frequently. This is going to be huge."
Critics say Harris, author of "Black Box Voting: Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century," is a fear-mongering grandstander and a presumptuous conspiracy theorist. The prime target of one investigation -- voting equipment maker Diebold Inc. -- says her antics undermine democracy.
"We must not frighten voters or inadvertently provide any type of disincentive to voting," Diebold spokesman David Bear wrote in an e-mail when asked to respond to Harris' claims that the company's software is riggable and insecure. "While security is an important issue ... improvements can and will be made."
Others question the motives behind her obsessive investigations of politicians and executives at big voting equipment companies such as Diebold, Sequoia Voting Systems Inc. and Election Systems & Services Inc.
"She bases her whole theory on a continuous string of untruths," said Lou Ann Linehan, chief of staff for Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel. In the 1990s, Hagel headed voting equipment company American Information Systems Inc., which later became ES&S. Hagel maintains investments between $1 million and $6 million in McCarthy Group Inc., a private bank with a large stake in ES&S.
Harris, who dubs Hagel "poster boy for conflict of interest," says the Republican did not disclose the extent of his American Information Systems involvement and questions whether a former executive of a company whose machines count votes in precincts nationwide should run for public office. Hagel's staff insist that his former career doesn't affect his political life.
"I don't know if it's sloppy research or she doesn't care," Linehan said. "I don't spend a lot of time worrying about it because it's all so ridiculous."
Criticism, as well as legal threats from ES&S, Diebold and other companies, has enervated Harris, whose blond hair turned completely gray last year. But legions of fans -- from New Zealand bloggers to respected computer scientists -- encourage her.
Exploiting the power of the Internet, Harris has created a Web site that documents hundreds of local, county and state elections that have been botched or contested because of flaws with voting software.
She details an incestuous web of voting company executives, politicians and election officials -- people who are often related or have worked for each other.
Her style is brash. She drives her Toyota Corolla and rental cars thousands of miles to ambush registrars in counties where election results didn't match exit polls.
Frustrated that few mainstream journalists have publicized her exploits, Harris once left voice mail for Washington Post star Bob Woodward. When he didn't call back, she trashed him in a Web forum called "Media Whores Online."
"It took me a while to recognize that despite her over-the-top personal style, she was doing valuable sleuthing," said Douglas Jones, associate professor of computer science at the University of Iowa and a member of Iowa's Board of Examiners for e-voting. "But her style, which tends to be a bit alarmist and tends to appeal to conspiracy theorists, may be necessary to get the attention of the people who need to pay attention."
Harris, who in the 1990s freelanced as an investigator for companies that suspected employees of embezzling, dismisses conspiracies. She blames a lack of federal oversight, and human nature for voting problems such as those in the November 2002 election, when Bernalillo County, N.M.'s turnout was 48,000 -- but only 36,000 votes were tallied on Sequoia touchscreens.
"I never looked at this as a computer problem or even a conspiracy," said Harris. "I always looked at it as an auditing problem, the exact equivalent of taking away canceled checks, invoices and receipts. You take away oversight -- someone will steal. I guarantee it."
Harris' obsession with e-voting began during a lunch break in autumn 2002. On the Web, she stumbled upon an article called "Elections in America -- Assume Crooks are in Control," by freelance journalist Lynn Landes.
Harris began wondering how easy it would be to change electronic ballots to rig an election without a trace.
By trial and error, she tracked down people who work at voting companies by trolling on online job boards, high school reunion sites and other Internet haunts. She collected e-mail addresses and phone numbers for eight dozen programmers. Some boasted they could easily insert malicious code, alter or delete ballots and "flip" an election.
Harris wondered how easily these people could be bribed.
"I figured that if a middle-aged woman like me who has never done a 'covert op' in her life, working on the Internet, could find the people who program our voting machines, then certainly the bad guys must know who they are," she wrote in her roughly edited book, which reads the way Harris talks -- full of enthusiasm, gall and expressions such as "oookay" and "right," dripping with sarcasm.
She took a loan from her father to self-publish her book. When critics said she was fear-mongering for money, she posted chapters free online. She says the book has cost her and her second husband, who works at Boeing Co., about $50,000, and they've made almost nothing from it.
In January 2003, Harris did a Google search for Vancouver, B.C.-based Global Election Systems Inc., the software company Diebold acquired in 2002. On the search engine's 15th page of hits was a link to proprietary code, which Harris burned on seven CDs and stashed in a safe-deposit box. She didn't sleep for 44 hours while downloading 40,000 files.
Blogs began buzzing about secret voting software without password protection. Eventually, computer scientists at Johns Hopkins and Rice universities analyzed the code.
Avi Rubin, technical director of the Information Security Institute at Johns Hopkins, concluded that any clever 15-year-old could rig the system and vote multiple times. Alarmingly, "1111" was Diebold's default password identification number for microchip-embedded "smartcards" that voting administrators used.
Diebold issued a 27-page rebuttal, insisting the code was out of date and not used in more than 30,000 machines nationwide. But the study hit a nerve among computer scientists, who lent legitimacy to a ragtag movement.
"I worry that sometimes her arguments sound farfetched, and I have been told on more than one occasion that she is hurting the credibility of all of us with her wild theories," Rubin said. "On balance, though, I am grateful for the work that she does. We each have our own style."
Harris hopes more secretaries of state reach the conclusion of California's Kevin Shelley, who this year banned some Diebold machines and required counties to have a paper record of ballots.
"I would consider this last year a year of crisis," said Harris, who last year struggled to meet mortgage and heat payments. "I didn't want to get involved in this. I just don't understand how anyone could discover this stuff and live with themselves if they didn't say anything about it."
posted on July 5, 2004 04:54:33 PM new
Thank you again, Bunni, you are a TRUE patriot for bringing this to people's attention.
If electronic voting is used for the next election I will consider democracy dead in the U.S. If you loose the vote you have lost everything.
posted on July 5, 2004 07:48:43 PM new
Got the wrong end of the stick again, twelve.
Now, I know that Republicans follow their leader and don't like to read anything but the sports page but why don't you READ the first post before you "comment".
posted on July 5, 2004 08:45:57 PM new
Another book huh? Always sends up a red flag for me when someone stands to gain, financially themselves, when making accusations they can't proof...just suspect.
for voting problems such as those in the November 2002 election, when Bernalillo County, N.M.'s turnout was 48,000 -- but only 36,000 votes were tallied on Sequoia touchscreens. I'd want to know if the difference could have been the number of absentee ballots or not.
I think we all want fair and honest elections and IF the system could be abused, it could be abused by people from both sides.
Interesting that she backed off from her conspiracy theory once lawsuits were threatened. Either back up what you say....or quit spreading rumors that can damage a business without proof.
For me personally, I feel more comfortable with votes that can be verified. But even with paper votes there always is a possibility of fraud in one way or another. [Missing ballots not counted, etc.]
posted on July 5, 2004 09:01:18 PM new
ya, linda, books can be very scary....don't read any....a new idea might sneak into your head.
"""She took a loan from her father to self-publish her book. When critics said she was fear-mongering for money, she posted chapters free online. She says the book has cost her and her second husband, who works at Boeing Co., about $50,000, and they've made almost nothing from it. """"
posted on July 5, 2004 09:18:04 PM new
linda says,"But even with paper votes there always is a possibility of fraud in one way or another. [Missing ballots not counted, etc.] "
Then, linda, maybe the UN should send observers...........
posted on July 5, 2004 10:52:56 PM newInteresting that she backed off from her conspiracy theory once lawsuits were threatened.
Uh, Linda, she never had a consiracy theory to back off from:
"I never looked at this as a computer problem or even a conspiracy," said Harris. "I always looked at it as an auditing problem, the exact equivalent of taking away canceled checks, invoices and receipts. You take away oversight -- someone will steal. I guarantee it."
And she hasn't backed off at all, either...
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on July 5, 2004 11:01:52 PM new
Her critics, cited above, appear to see that differently, bunni.
and Criticism, as well as legal threats from ES&S, Diebold and other companies, has enervated Harris, whose blond hair turned completely gray last year. I took that to mean 'weakened her'....made her back off.
No one has addressed the my reasonable question of the differences in exit polls vs. what the machines showed. IF that was not taken into her accounting....it could be why she believes the 'count' to be lacking.
posted on July 5, 2004 11:08:48 PM newInteresting that she backed off from her conspiracy theory once lawsuits were threatened.
Uh, Linda, she never had a consiracy theory to back off from:
"I never looked at this as a computer problem or even a conspiracy," said Harris. "I always looked at it as an auditing problem, the exact equivalent of taking away canceled checks, invoices and receipts. You take away oversight -- someone will steal. I guarantee it."
And she hasn't backed off at all, either...
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on July 5, 2004 11:18:40 PM newCritics say Harris, author of "Black Box Voting: Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century," is a fear-mongering grandstander and a presumptuous conspiracy theorist.
Others question the motives behind her obsessive investigations of politicians and executives at big voting equipment companies such as Diebold, Sequoia Voting Systems Inc. and Election Systems & Services Inc.
"She bases her whole theory on a continuous string of untruths," said Lou Ann Linehan, chief of staff for Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel.
posted on July 5, 2004 11:35:11 PM new
I'm not comfortable with electronic voting. If anyone will try to cheat, it will be the demorats, I mean democrats. We already have enough vote cheating by dead democrats, democrat pets, and illegal aliens.
"I voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
posted on July 6, 2004 12:18:39 AM new
I think the 'conspriracy' here is the left trying to pin this on the right - like they're working to steal the election by using these machines. I think they believe they have another 'WaterGate' issue going here. LOL
After doing a search on this woman...this has been an issue for discussion for couple of years or more. With the Fed's and the Secret Service involved with her - one article from last year even spoke of a Grand Jury hearing [didn't read whether it ever took place or not] but the discussion was if she would be classified as a 'journalist' or just a regular citizen in her 'quest' for info.
All the 'leftie' sites make mention of her book....and one democratic underground paper sounds like they're trying to suggest the Republicans are behind these machines being used....to win the election for Bush.
Figures....maybe their setting up another 'election crisis' in advance so if kerry isn't elected...they can raise all kinds of hel* using this as their excuse.
posted on July 6, 2004 12:25:10 AM new
Great Article, Bunni!
I'm not sure its something to be alarmed about right yet. But it is good to open one's eye to it. I did read about the fiasco in MD with the electonic voting, and always find that whenever big corporations outcry foul, nutjob, etc., etc., there is probably something to it.
One thing I am sure of, is there is too much room for error with electronic voting. Whether it's error or rigging involved, is unknown. But with the stakes so high, you cannot non-plus that it could, would, or does happen.
Linda, I dont put it past either side to get dirty or sneaky. Granted, thats my mistrust of politics in general. It's probably more maligned to righties,,but if you have your picture tuned - its open for abuse by both sides!
[ edited by neroter12 on Jul 6, 2004 12:29 AM ]
posted on July 6, 2004 12:32:33 AM new
and where the hell you been? i've been shooting flame darts all over this board while you were gone. dont you see them?LOL>>>>>
posted on July 6, 2004 12:43:20 AM new
neroter - Took a couple days away and enjoyed myself.
I did say I'd personally feel more comfortable with verification of my vote.
But this activist appears to me to be saying so the Republicans don't cheat....rather than keeping it bypartisan.
Here's just a little clip from a Seattle newspaper which says, in part:
The tone of Harris' rhetoric disturbs Anderson. "Bev Harris is a little more conspiracy-oriented than I tend to be. I don't believe this is a huge Republican plot to steal elections," she says. "Maybe the whole matter would have been taken more seriously earlier had not the highly partisan charges been made so shrilly."
That kind of criticism angers Harris. But there's no doubt some of her claims have lacked substantiation. Near the end of Black Box Voting, she writes: "There are some who are using election-manipulation techniques to transfer a block of power to their friends. This is a business plan, a form of organized crime. . . . " Yet Harris rejects any claim she is a conspiracy theorist. "I understand the needs of the press in terms of documentation and not overstating your case," she says, and she has worked to scale back the hype in her writing.
And I agree....if this was presented in a non-partisan way....it's knowledge worth having so corrections can be made to address problems. But some just have to see everything as a conspiracy.
posted on July 6, 2004 01:17:36 AM new
neroter - What do I think? I know they don't miss a thing...no matter how one spells their name.
helen has mentioned that she even keeps 'files' on those she doesn't agree with....so be careful...should the FBI ever seize *her* computer ...they'll have you in her file.
posted on July 6, 2004 01:56:48 AM new
lol Linda. g'nite!
I am now rising here! I should probably go back and edit that out just because it will tweak them to no end. when they call me neruro, or whatever variation of it; it's a compliment to me! I just hope some know when to stop the dance with My nerve -what they dont know can hurt them. MY neurons - can start firing with a will of their own,..so i cant responsible for what happens to them afterwards - and I've seen some strange sh** happen... Maybe I am Carrie? hahaha!!!! Thats a joke, but I do believe there is such a thing as thought forces. It has to do with energy, etc.
Whichever of the two candidates can harness the thought forces of the masses, or at least get in touch with it the better, will win the election. I think gore originally had it (lol...linda, you will tell me your feelings on gore, right?)-but I think he lost it by hedging.
[ edited by neroter12 on Jul 6, 2004 02:06 AM ]
posted on July 6, 2004 09:38:43 AM new
LOL at your drug induced comment about the Vendio bots, neroter12.
I saw everything you said up there before you edited.
Scary, EH?
If you're going to sneak in here in the middle of the night just to trash some of your fellow posters how about having the intestinal fortitude to put their names up there instead of those nonsensical twisted nicknames you love to make up?
Why be a coward and then edit it all? What are you so afraid of?
posted on July 6, 2004 10:38:49 AM new
oooo yeah kiara i am afraid of the big bad BOT witch YOU! It was a test and you passed!
I snuck in - in the middle of the night!
hahahaahhaha Just so happens I was up. And so was Linda. This bothers you...so you phase it as I snuck in the middle of night?
What a complusive paranoid jerk you are!!
Send this to your little bot file mind:
When Vendio changes their rules and when freedom of speech has to be set to your commie standards, maybe I'll comply. Until then, I will post what I want, to who I want, when I want. And since its my post I will erase it if I want too -- Get it, vacumn cleaner bag lady?
vrrrrr...sucking it all down!! who-whoo. what a great life!
Linda said to me in the thread link above, , "Speaking of spending....bet it took you a long time and a wad of dough yourself to get all those hard disc files in order so you'd have every word everyone says on these chat boards, huh?"
I responded"I don't have any chat board files. I'm the one who should say, "huh? to that question."
So, in this thread, Linda says,"helen has mentioned that she even keeps 'files' on those she doesn't agree with....so be careful...should the FBI ever seize *her* computer ...they'll have you in her file." nite ~
What would you call that? A memory lapse or a deliberate lie?
What would you call that? A memory lapse or a deliberate lie?
I wouldn't want to call you a liar helen .....maybe it's short-term memory loss that causes you to defend actions you take/words you say and then appear to forget (?) you've said them.
You're always so selective on exactly which past posts you choose to pull up and provide your 'proof' to try and label one a liar.
Maybe you should re-check the your files/past posts and post the one's where you HAVE mentioned your files.
posted on July 6, 2004 02:31:47 PM new
Also....LINDA
I had made no response to this thread so there was no reason to make a comment about me or to me, especially such a nasty lie and insinuation.
Most people try to think of themselves as good people and act accordingly..Psyc 101...
How do you justify to yourself such mean and nasty tactics when I had not said a word to you.
You need more than a couple of days off. Take a month.
posted on July 6, 2004 02:37:58 PM new
If we assume that your memory has gone south and that you really believe that statement, how do you explain the insinuation that the FBI would have any reason to "seize" my computer.
You are so out of line that it's becoming a serious issue, linda.
