BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: New SoS Names Major E-Voting Critic/Attorney to Oversee Voting Systems in CA!

[BradBlog]

This is tremendously important news for the entire nation. Read up...This was a great day!... -- Brad

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BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Major E-Voting Critic, Attorney Named to Key Voting Systems Oversight Role by New CA Secretary of State!
Debra Bowen Appoints Lowell Finley of Election Integrity Watchdog Group VoterAction.org to Role of 'Deputy SoS for Voting Systems Technology and Policy'
Critics of E-Voting Hail News as 'Collosal Suprise', Very Good for Voters, Very Bad for the Nation's Electronic Voting Machine Companies...

It may not be a very good day in the corporate offices at Diebold, but The BRAD BLOG has learned some big news that may well indicate today is a very good day indeed for the voters of America and specifically in California.

As incoming Sec. of State Debra Bowen was sworn in to her new office just moments ago, The BRAD BLOG can now reveal that one of the nation's top critics of unverifiable electronic voting systems --- and a key player across several states in the legal battles against voting machine companies such as Diebold, ES&S, Sequoia Voting Systems and Hart Intercivic --- is today being named by the new California Sec. of State Debra Bowen as Deputy SoS for Voting Systems Technology and Policy.

Lowell Finley, the lead attorney for the non-partisan voting machine legal watchdog organization VoterAction.org, will be named to the position today.

In his new capacity, Finley will oversee testing and certification for all voting machine technology in the State of California. In a phone call this morning, Finley confirmed that he would be working closely in his new role with key national associations like the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission (EAC).

E-voting critics and at least one California Registrar of Voters have hailed both the swearing in of Bowen as SoS and her appointment of Finley, expressing delight to The BRAD BLOG over the news, characterizing it as a "colossal surprise" and a "very, very good sign for the future of voters' rights in California."

America's Voting Machine Companies are less likely to feel quite as happy about the news.

Finley and VoterAction have filed a number of landmark lawsuits in several states, including in California, over the past year or so, demanding an immediate halt to the use and purchase of Direct Recording Electronic (DRE/touch-screen) voting systems, decertification of many of those systems, as well as improved processes for certification of such systems.

VoterAction is one of over 30 Election Reform organizations who recently went on record with an open letter to Members of Congress demanding federal legislation requiring a paper ballot for every vote cast in America. Such legislation would effectively ban the use of DRE systems, with or without a so-callled "Voter Verified Paper Trail" (VVPAT).
...
"I wish I was a fly on the wall in the offices at Diebold as they learn of this appointment. I'm sure jaws will be dropping and damage control will be ramping up," John Gideon of election watchdog organization VotersUnite.org told us today...

COMPLETE EXCLUSIVE:
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=3999

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. My local San Diego Registrar

will start crying soon....

The games, I hope, are over, such as boxes going home on sleep overs

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. This made my day...Bowen rocks!

Hers was the only candidate's campaign I gave money to this past election, and I felt this was the most important SINGLE election in the country (not discounting the importance of the COLLECTIVE victories in congress). If California succumbed totally to no oversight DRE's, all would be lost, including CA's electoral votes.

I hope Secretary Bowen will keep this up, even risking penalties under HAVA if need be to bring this issue to the nation's consciousness (although America is much more aware than even just two years ago- that's one reason she was elected).

If she keeps this up, is it too early to say...Bowen for Governor in 2010? (or sooner if we have the guts to recall Arnold).

[Fridays Child]

3. She's awesome!

[gristy]

4. Hi Brad - great story

Helderheid posted your story early this evening. It's almost to the top of the Greatest Page already.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3071844

[BradBlog]

9. Thanks and...

Whoops! Hadn't seen that other posting! My apologies for the dupe! Too tired, I guess...

[kster]

5. Do You think Bowen can

bring Kevin Shelly back in to the fray, I mean we all know how the CROOKS took him out.

[BradBlog]

10. According to her inaugural address yesterday, she said...

She said during her speech yesterday (paraphrasing, but pretty closely):

"Kevin shelley Was right about protecting the vote"...She plans to continue Shelley's efforts and to step them up "about 5 notches".

I'd say that's an encouraging sign (along with so many others).

[Warren DeMontague]

6. That's why getting Debra Bowen elected SOS was huge. I think that was the most important race in CA.

:patriot:

[beltanefauve]

7. Yay!

I watched with dismay on Election Night as the CA Secretary of State website had already declared Arnold-appointee McPherson the winner, BEFORE the votes from LA County had been counted. And you KNOW the Pugs tried to steal California! Yes, this was THE most important race in California.

[Stevepol]

8. What great news!!! K&R!

[Rainscents]

11. Oh, I can't wait for San Diego vote fraud investigation...

When she gets done with them, they'll all be going to jail!!! She is tough gale and I'm glad, CA voted her in as SOS!

[FogerRox]

12. Looks like Debra is getting off to a great start

[lonestarnot]

13. So very excellent!

[goclark]

14. My Day Is Made ~ go, go ,go!

[WiseButAngrySara]

15. A great day indeed! K&R and thanks brad. ...n/t

[catzies]

16. Hey Brad, your fans here posted it for you yesterday!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3071844

[Wilms]

17. .

[helderheid]

18. Brad! You duped my post that you wrote! I LOVE IT!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3071844&mesg_id=3071844

[snowbear]

19. Strange that this topic isn't being discussed in the election section too...

I don't go over there all that often.. but I took a look to see if they were discussing this too, and there's no hide nor hair of this story there.

Weird.