Fresh study (still) finds Diebold e-voting machines hacker-friendly

The fact that some individuals still have any level of faith left in Diebold is quite baffling, but in case you were looking for just one more episode to dash your hopes of a hack-proof voting machine, open wide. As fate would have it, a fresh study in Florida has found that even optical scan voting systems "can be hacked into," which is causing quite a bit of concern considering that touchscreen alternatives aren't exactly an option in the Sunshine State. Reportedly, the document noted that "official memory cards in the optical scan machines could easily be exchanged with ones altering the vote count," and it was also stated that Diebold must "deal with the flaws" by August 17th. Yeah, we're sure it's all over that.

[Thanks, Josh]

[Harimwakairi @ Aug 1st 2007 11:33PM]

I don't think I've ever been more in agreement with a Republican than when Governor Crist banned paperless voting in Florida. Good on him.

[Steve @ Aug 1st 2007 11:42PM]

the elections were rigged in 2000, we're just doing it high tech now.

[typoink @ Aug 1st 2007 11:50PM]

The correct way to have elections in this country would be to have a two-week (or so) open voting period in which all individuals can pick a time to vote and can CHANGE their vote any time during the period. Further, all voters will be informed via mail after the polls close of what their ballot was, with a further one week appeal period. Presumably not all appeals will be granted, but it will allow possible tampering to show up.

There's really no downside and it would be both more accurate and convenient. It won't happen any time soon because the current political powers-that-be are comfortable manipulating the current system.

[yoshi @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:01AM]

It's cute that you believe that we'll ever have elections that are not rigged. The establishment is entrenched and it ain't going nowhere. And by establishment, I mean both Dems and Repubs. Either side will gladly let the other side win rather than risk real and fair elections.

[John Doe @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:29AM]

yoshi

You sir are an idiot. Elections aren't rigged. Fraud at the polls is more likely but an entire election? No what happens is voter suppression, voter intimidation (Sorry but that tribe ID card isn't a valid license.), and implementing intentional buggy equipment all plays a part in the Republican agenda. Do Dems play this game? Sure. Not to the extent that Republicans do. Because the simple fact is that if Repubicans can repress votor turnout they win. Pure and simple. Its been this way for year.
But a complete rigged election? I know more then a few election judges who would break your nose for suggesting that the insane and meticulous work they do is part of a rigged election. It border on going up to one of the Apollo astronauts and telling them we never landed on the moon and it was all "rigged".

[Owen V @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:30AM]

Don't forget that we don't vote for president in this country, the Electoral College does.

[Andrew @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:13AM]

Paying for mailings to every registered voter in the United States ~ $100 million dollars

Paying people to man voting stations across the country for two weeks ~ $500 million dollars

Paying bureaucrats to count votes, sift through thousands of appeals, assure that there are no loop holes in the system ~ $1 billion dollars

Giving Rupert Murdoch a two week election debacle to cover non stop ~ Priceless

[yoshi @ Aug 2nd 2007 8:22AM]

A bit dramatic, aren't you there, Mr. Doe? No rigged elections huh? Ever? Never happened ever? There are many ways to rig an election, bubba. You need a history lesson. Try to pay attention during class more often. Wait, you're probably still in grade school. Maybe that explains it.

Jeebus, people - like you - who are absolutely sure that it's all the evil Republicans fault or that it's all the evil Democrat's fault are going to drive this country into the toilet. They have you exactly where they want you. Dumb and getting Dumber.

[John Doe. @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:19AM]

The memory cards for the OCR variant are LOCKED down tight at least here in MN they are and there is an election judge sitting next to the machine to aid idio....people who can't figure out how to insert the ballot.

[kyle allen @ Aug 2nd 2007 1:19AM]

how bout just welding the dang thing shut? when they tally the votes they just cut it open.

[Steve @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:53PM]

I hope this helps Dennis Kucinich! I would love to see him win! I'm E-MAILING this post to his campaign, maybe they can figure something out.

[Nin10dude @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:33AM]

If a computer exists, it will be hacked. Especially when it's as important as these machines. It may be less convenient, but if we'll have to go back to paper (which doesn't use the "chad method," of course :\) if we ever want to be hack-proof.

[XGM @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:38AM]

So they can't have someone watching over the machine so people don't mess around with it ?

http://s2.darkpirates.com/c.php?uid=21325

[Mike @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:48AM]

John Doe, when Yoshi said that the elections are rigged I don't think he was talking about the voting process but rather the government as a whole. Well done on misinterpreting his comment. Flame on.

[oxfdblue @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:56AM]

Why does any trust this company anymore?

The problem is not just a trustworthy machine, but enough of them. Read more at http://www.theforgottenborough.com

[Jeremy @ Oct 14th 2007 12:39AM]

E-voting will never be secure. It's impossible to write any program like this and make it "hack-proof". And even if someone succeeds in doing the impossible, there's still one little problem. The electoral college. You could have every person in the entire united states vote for one candidate but if the electoral collage doesn't like it, they can switch it the other way. The first thing we have to do: Dump the electoral college. Blow them all to hell I say. Then we can handle Diebold and friends.

[kp @ Aug 4th 2007 8:21AM]

Sure, they are hackable, but is it any more difficult then 'hacking' the paper ballots?