A sudden thought concering the Diebold election boxes

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

An interesting thought concerning the theoretical hacked Diebold smartcard "keys to the kingdom" that have been mentioned in article after article-- what would happen if suddenly said keys (or concise directions on how to create them) were to flood the streets? That is to say, some no-doubt unscrupulous persons were to actually manufacture them and pass them out on streetcorners, or instructions were to be posted on web sites and in internet forums, etc.

If this were to happen, and then be discovered by the public and reported on, and absolutely proven, what would then happen? Would it be ignored in the hopes it went away (while copies are being made in basements across the country)? Would the information spread, and finally force Diebold to either verifiably secure its boxes, or withdraw them before the election? Would they cancel the election process altogether, instead of reverting to paper ballots? What excuse would they give?

At the least, this would level the playing field considerably, and if a rigged election WERE planned by someone bent on carrying out a coup (theoretically), a few thousand or more hacked keys would upset applecarts across the country. It is safe to assume chaos would reign supreme, and the election would be unverifiable in any sense of the word, if they still insisted on using the Diebold boxes. The point would be proven, but I think the price would be terribly high, for Diebold, certainly, and yes, for We The People.

What would happen?

NOTE: I do not advocate this scenario actually taking place, nor would I endorse it or take part in it if it were to happen. This post is to be considered a theoretical concept placed FOR DISCUSSION ONLY.

[althecat]

1. I do not advocate this either.. but it is an interesting idea...

A very interesting idea...

[DUreader]

2. Seems like they had two sets of software, one for the certifiers

Now they have gone and overwritten the last one with yet another version

They, having proprietary, secret code, can stay a step ahead and

to do what you suggest an insider with up to date version of backdoors

would have to come forward.

[althecat]

3. True: But this is more than just an idea... it is a concept.

Good point DUReader.... and that is exactly what they will be saying. On the other hand. This is more than an idea... it is a concept.... there are countless holes in these machines and many of the exploits may well be still wide open.

Also. The fact that people might just be considering this idea kind of prooves the point about the need for open source software - or at the very least public scrutiny of certification (which is presently VERBOTEN).

Personally I would favour a return to paper ballots - counting at the booth with a result declared in every polling place publicly.

This is how we vote here in NZ and until recently I thought this is the way everybody voted.

This thread needs a good kicking methinks... this is an idea that is extremely powerful simply as an idea.... it is also a fantastic story angle for some enterprising media to explore.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. They SAY the code that's in the wild is outdated

but they absolutely REFUSE to prove it, so why take their word that they actually are updating it to the point that the key to the kingdom will no longer work? If they close the holes, then THEY can no longer do what it is obvious they have done in the past-- rig the vote. They would have to rewrite it altogether to change or hide their own keys. Until they do that, there's no reason to think a hacked key will no longer work.

[althecat]

5. I love your logic Prisoner 6....