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