BBV: Validation of a recent Black Box Voting report... [View All]

[Andy_Stephenson]

About a month ago, Bev and I released a story that Diebold was going to have severe problems printing enough ballots for the fall elections. Over the course of the last two weeks I have conducted interviews with several key witnesses who have confirmed, in fact, that Diebold is going to have major problems with delivery of the ballots.

Here is the Situation:

Diebold maintains it's primary print shop in Everett, Washington. The capacity of that plant with experienced employees is at best 5 million ballots. The Everett employees are currently being harrassed over their decision to unionize. Diebold has fired many longterm employees and replaced them with temps. The specialized nature of the type of press Diebold uses demands experienced people. It is a digital press which speeds the process unlike offset where you need a plate to print from.

Diebold has contracted out with two other vendors one in Florida and the other in California. The Florida vendor was described to me as "not able to print a comic book much less a ballot". Apparently they have a capacity issue since they use an offest process to create the ballot plates.

The California firm (from what I have been told...still looking for confirmation) has a legal dispute with Diebold and does not have the capacity to bridge the gap either.

Now comes word today that one of the counties Diebold is serving...has ballot issues "significant issues". This came from a source close to Diebold. Looks like the meltdown Bev and I predicted a month ago is about to show itself. I will have more information in the next day or so...

pen, paper and a day off.