The petition
Since 2000, Chatham County voters have been expressing their concern about election integrity and transparent, trustworthy election equipment. For nearly that long, Chatham citizens have expressed opposition to direct record electronic voting machines (DREs). Since 2003, the Chatham County Democratic Party has formally passed six or more resolutions on this subject
+ preferring optical scanners and paper ballots,
+ urging purchase of trusted voting systems,
+ urging removal of DRE voting machines.
Chatham County has more than 25 years of satisfaction and trust in paper ballots and optical scanners, and this preference is often expressed. Many citizens, including Republicans and Democrats have written letters and emails and spoken out against untrustworthy, non-transparent, expensive "touch-screen" machines. In January 2006, at a public demonstration of voting equipment, assembled citizens voted nearly 4 to 1 in opposition to touch-screen DREs (voting on paper ballots, of course.)
In spring of 2006, when the prior Board of Elections was preparing to purchase new election systems, Commissioner Patrick Barnes noted that he had received more than 3,000 emails on the subject, predominantly opposed to DRE touch-screens.
In light of these facts, the undersigned citizens request that the Chatham County Board of Elections instruct staff to
A) Immediately make arrangements for a public hearing within the next 60 days to hear concerns from voters and experts about election equipment, so that these concerns can be entered into formal public record; and
B) Phase out use of the DREs before the May 6th primary and the November 4th general election.
NOTE: PLEASE DISREGARD THE REQUEST FOR DONATION THAT FOLLOWS THE PETITION. SORRY FOR THE BOTHER. THANKS FOR SIGNING!
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