Voting machines sold to 21 different counties in California could allow people to vote more than once, state election officials warn in a notice to counties.
The notice went out on Monday, just eight days before the election. It tells election officials to keep a close eye on voting machines sold by Oakland-based Sequoia Voting Systems because a yellow button on the back of each machine can be pushed and potentially allow someone to vote more than once.
Sequoia sold the machines to 21 counties in the state, including Alameda, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz.
The yellow button is only supposed to be pushed if the machine needs to be reset. But, someone could reach or walk behind the machine, push it, and vote again.
The company said when the button is pushed, however, the machine sounds a series of beeps which should alert poll workers.
"The Secretary of State is reinforcing procedures that are well known and taught in training classes," said Sequoia Voting Systems spokeswoman Michelle Shafer. "This is not a flaw. It has been designed this way."
Critics of electronic voting systems say there is a need for better security, even if the machines are certified.
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neoform
said @ Thu Nov 2, 2006 @ 11:26am
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