Jeff,
In my
experience, the “Resume Count” feature has been used to correct the
mistakes of poll workers who “accidentally” end the election before
it is over. Granted, I don’t have a real life instance that I can
tell you about where touch screen has been used but I have utilized the
“Resume Count” function in the OS world a number of times when poll
workers have used the “End” card in the middle of the day.
Yes,
it’s dumb and seems highly unlikely but I guarantee you that it can
happen and the “Resume Count” feature is the only way we can
recover. It’s our fail safe measure for poll workers who think they
have a better idea of how the election should be conducted.
Cathi
-----Original
Message-----
From: owner-support@gesn.com
[mailto:owner-support@gesn.com]On Behalf Of Jeff
Hallmark
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2002 8:19
AM
To: support@gesn.com
Subject: RE: Removal of
"Resume Counting" feature
-----Original
Message-----
From: owner-support@gesn.com
[mailto:owner-support@gesn.com]On Behalf Of Nel
Finberg
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 9:57
PM
To: support@gesn.com
Subject: Re: Removal of
"Resume Counting" feature
Jeff, Resume Counting is accessible only once an election has
been ended on the AccuVote-TS unit, placing the unit in Post-Election Mode,and
not before. In order to have accessed Post-Election Mode, the election
must first have been ended using the Administrator card and the entry of a Supervisor
Password, and presumably also printed a results report. Therefore, the
results will be known anyway. The provision of the Administrator card and
the Supervisor password provide the security interface necessary that assures
that the election is not fraudulently ended on the BallotStation and results
reported.
The fact is we can
restart the election process after it has been ended, no guarantee exist that
there will never be an opportunity for one unscrupulous individual, acting
alone and unobserved, to compromise the election by previewing the results
either via the Ballot Review process or by printing an “interim
report”. This is the point that the Technical Committee has voiced and
echoed by Jim Dearman.
We
have the opportunity to provide sufficient reason why anyone having
Administrator access would ever have the need to end the election before the
official closing of the polls.
Respond to this
post as soon as possible with reasons we need this feature.
All steps of election close must by necessity occur in a secure
manner, under the supervision of polling judges, thus preventing any fraudulent
entry of results. Remember also that the change in election mode is
reflected in the Audit log, that election media may be uploaded once only, and
the voting device results reports must balance against the GEMS results
reports.
There is a very
comprehensive audit trail, yet Jim Dearman has had recent discussions, within
the last week, with the FEC Technical Committee concerning this topic of
“interim report printing” and has deemed that the audit trail is
not adequate. There is no automated check by GEMS of the audit trail during
upload and unless a thorough canvas is done the election closing / reopening
would go undetected. Keep in mind that the idea here is not to have to rely
upon “Jurisdictional procedures” to ensure election security.
Uploading multiple times is not at issue.
This behavior is consistent with the AccuVote-OS, which we have
been using for many years now. Resume Counting may only be accessed on
the AccuVote-OS from Post-Election Mode, and not before. In order to
access Post-Election Mode, an AccuVote Ender card must be submitted to the
unit, upon which the results report is automatically printed. Again, in
order to even have reached the Resume Counting option, a results report must
have been printed.
Nel
The results report
is not automatically printed, rather the option dialog to print a result report
is presented.
At this juncture we
need concrete reasons why our customers need this feature Wyle will accept the
feature given we can provide those reasons.
Jeff Hallmark
-----
Original Message -----
To: support@gesn.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002
7:09 PM
Subject:
Removal of "Resume Counting" feature
Ballot
Station 4.3.4.0 is currently in process at Wyle Laboratories for
certification. The Resume Counting feature has become an issue. The feature
is considered undesirable because it is viewed as a breach of security as it
allows the "interim printing" of results and the subsequent
resumption of
the election process. We have been asked for the reason(s) that the Resume
Counting feature is available, it is imperative that anyone desiring this
feature respond to this post. Explain how this feature has been
beneficial
to customers.
Jeff Hallmark