Diebold cries 'do over!' after losing Massachusetts contract

Now we know that we're not supposed to take pleasure in the misfortunes of others, but when habitually-shady voting machine manufacturer Diebold loses a $9 million contract and starts whining about it in court, well, we think it's okay to make an exception. As the nation's leading election thrower e-voting provider, old Diebold thought that it was a shoo-in to win the Massachusetts Secretary of State's bid for 3,500 terminals for disabled voters -- and was so shocked when the contract was awarded to rival AutoMARK, that it's actually going to court to have the contract overturned or revisited at the very least. The company's completely immodest argument against the state and Secretary William Galvin basically boils down to this: "Since we've beaten AutoMARK for contracts all over the country, it only makes sense that we get this one too -- and because we didn't, there must be some cheating going on." For his part, Galvin calls the suit "frivolous" and claims that the best candidate did in fact win: disabled voters who tested all the machines reportedly formed a consensus around the AutoMARKs, and those machines have the added benefit of employing the same paper ballots as regular units, helping to ensure users' privacy. Despite the fact that it has "no hard evidence of unfair treatment," Diebold is nonetheless seeking an injunction on the use of its competitor's gear (some of which has already been delivered), or optimally, a complete reversal of the state's decision. No timetable on a decision yet, but when Diebold's forced to crawl back to Ohio with its tail between its legs, we'll let ya know.

[Via Slashdot]

[McCandless @ Mar 26th 2007 2:32PM]

Maybe some of us aren't interested in having Diebold return, even in abject misery, an object of ridicule and scorn. Perhaps the judge could spare us the trouble and put the cur down.

(Please?)

-BM in Ohio

[Shawn Garringer @ Mar 26th 2007 2:43PM]

Maybe they should have taken a vote on who to award the contract to! :)

Then Diebold would have won for sure!

[Paul @ Mar 26th 2007 3:51PM]

As another resident of Ohio, I to second the motion to have the feral dog put out of its misery.

At the very least, can't we force it to take up resident in a state it might find more suitable? Like Texas.

[Jeremy K. @ Mar 26th 2007 3:06PM]

LOL...

[jdkchem @ Mar 26th 2007 4:07PM]

The "political" commentary is insipid and tiresome. Losers always complain when they lose, and they complain when they win. Losers always make excuses and blame others when they lose. The only thing humorous about this is seeing the losers pile on in a massive pathetic orgy of childish comments.

FWIW - This is the same Massachusetts that rolled over when microsoft whined about open document formats. Where is the poll to see who gets fired or who resigns?

[Bill @ Mar 26th 2007 6:42PM]

FYI you lost too. Unless you happen to be an oil exec or a Halliburton war profiteer.

[jdkchem @ Mar 27th 2007 6:53PM]

Thanks bill, what an extremely progressive and enlightened comment. And thanks for proving my point. I guess I should add that losers insist that everyone feel their "pain".

[mehckdj @ Mar 26th 2007 4:33PM]

jdkchem

Are you related to Bush? Or is that just how republicans talk errrr ramble?

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 26th 2007 4:56PM]

Don’t want to get all political since there are plenty of blogs for that, but come on now. At this point anyone that considers themselves an “R” (abbreviated to keep it less political ;^) is “either a Millionaire or a Fool!” It’s not a slam. Think about it, it’ll come to ya...

[Barfito @ Mar 26th 2007 5:05PM]

Diebold systems have been shown to have horrible security. Without security, what good are they? Even if there is zero malice or foul play, their machines simply suck.

[Andy S. @ Mar 26th 2007 5:20PM]

I'd suggest reading the comments on the original article over on Slashdot for some more insight than what is given here. Contesting the results of a contract bid and requesting to see the criteria used to decide the winner is a pretty normal thing, and it seems that a lot of noise is being made over nothing here, simply because the plaintiff is Diebold.

I have no love for Diebold, but really, let's not forgo journalistic integrity in our scramble to point and laugh, huh?

[jdkchem @ Mar 27th 2007 7:25PM]

Unfortunately your comment has fallen on deaf and dumb ears. It runs contrary to the prevailing religion.

[jdkchem @ Mar 27th 2007 7:52PM]

"war profiteer" Does that include the pride of EX-marines everywhere abscam murtha who has been funneling DOD money to his buddies in PA?

[alfa_spider84 @ Mar 26th 2007 11:04PM]

I won't be satisfied until Diebold comes clean on how many of it's machines were in the World Trade Center and why. Could 9/11 have simply been an effort to hide the results of the 2000 election?

http://www.amazon.com/Towers-Deception-Media-Cover-up-11/dp/0865715734/ref=tag_tdp_dp/103-7377948-1159800

Don't let them lie to you.

[Steve @ Mar 27th 2007 12:08AM]

Isn't this what happened in that Robin Williams movie about the comedian voted into office?

[jdkchem @ Mar 27th 2007 7:09PM]

mehckdj & Frankenstein Black More enlightened progressive comments. Typical. Since my opinion is that the political commentary is insipid and tiresome I must be a republican. All you've managed to prove is that anyone who doesn't buy into your religion should be silenced or ridiculed. The only people who feel the need to engage in that behavior are fascists and tyrants.

[cipto adhi setiawan @ Mar 27th 2007 8:13PM]

simple but very2...comprehensive..

[sornypanafonic @ Mar 28th 2007 12:00PM]

I for one am going to sue my state FOR using diebold!!

you know litigation is at an absurd levels when your response to losing a bid is to sue in order to get the bid. insane. i have to tell my dad and his small construction company about this development!

[reaper-x-69 @ Mar 29th 2007 11:57PM]

Anyone for a game of MONOPOLY? AutoMARK should respond with an anti-trust suit. What’s next Apple suing everyone who bought a Zune because they feel that they are the best and should be the only one sold? Or is it Diebold will not have total control over voting outcomes? Diebold simplifies voting; NO MORE wading through political junk mail, NO MORE vicious mud slinging campaigns and commercials, NO MORE campaign phone calls, and NO MORE hard decisions, we choose for you...
P.S. NO MORE Democracy