CA: There is a serious problem with the voter registration database

[rumpel]

I have addressed this issue before here, when my daughter was denied a chance to have her vote counted by the mysterious disappearance of her registration in the mail when she turned 18.

LA County is on DIMS - Yes, Diebold. Sole source contract - this discussion is contained here in the DU archives:
and I have dug up and have the links to the County documents and more.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=458059#458191

and again, here is one excerpt:

This is from the CA SOS deal with the US DOJ posted at electionline.org:
HAVA also requires that local elections officials immediately update records after new data is received. SOS will promulgate regulations to require each county to update the Calvoter voter registration database with all changes the same day those changes are made to the county EMS databases. Processes will be established and maintained so that the Calvoter voter registration database is synchronized with all county EMS databases each business day. SOS will verify that county EMS vendors have developed technical processes to ensure that the daily update files, when applied to the Calvoter database, ensure that the data in Calvoter is identical to the data in each county's database. SOS will require each county to periodically upload its entire voter registration file so fully and accurately synchronized.

and yet we get this: As I posted last night
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x496856

In light of Brad's blog today here:

"And if the following disturbing video from a Los Angeles Ron Paul supporter who switched from Democratic to Republican specifically to vote for Paul is any indication, it's not just "independents" who experienced "few election glitches" yesterday..."
(watch the video, folks!)

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5662#more-5662


Ms. Bowen has to address this issue really fast.

The voter database is in disarray! Why is it so difficult to reconcile the numbers even between a county and the state? Before we even pick up a ballot to vote, an election is rendered questionable, when the registration database is so screwed up, disenfranchising so many people.

I am amazed at how little attention this issue is getting - even here. It is not only the touchscreen - folks, it starts waaaay before that.

[kestrel91316]

1. I KNOW things are messed up in CA. When I moved in Oct, I

contacted DMV with my new address per the law. Motor Voter law requires them to update my voter registration address and the DMV website states this. But it never happened.

Then Voter Reg failed to mail me a voter registration form per my phone request, and the local POs and libraries don't have the forms like they are supposed to. So I got wise and downloaded a form from the website and mailed it in. I FINALLY got my sample ballot 7 days before the election.

[rumpel]

7. That is lucky, kestrel

considering the disarray even within the Norwalk office...and it should not be.

People are being paid from our tax dollars to do things right. I do not know whether it is the county office that is in such disarray or the so-called no bid vendors - I don't care who - if they can't do things right there should be consequences and what does McCormack do? She obtains sole right to chose and pushes her decisions down our throat - binds the county for years.

[FogerRox]

2. IN NJ our database trial run was not a glowing success

[rumpel]

8. we should probably all check

which "vendor" has control over our voter registration software.

[bleever]

3. The only way to address this

is by having a clear process by which any contested registrant can file a ballot,

AND by not certifying any election results until all ballots, provisional or otherwise, have been counted.

Marginalization of votes is a key element of disenfranchisement, and the "provisional" ballots, changing of precincts, etc., can only be contained if there are NO official results until the rights of the CONTESTED voters are counted, because that's where the mischief flourishes.

[rumpel]

9. that requires a change in the election laws does it not?

it would be great. I am all for it. :)

Meanwhile - people should be held accountable, fired and contracts nullified, penalties imposed for every disenfranchised voter, and the county reimbursed for all the contracted funds.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

4. oh the Double bubble county with over 700,000 indy voters?

seems like someone doesn't want the independent voters casting their ballot.

Thats the double bubble county!

[rumpel]

10. I presume it is a Republican and other parties' decision

not to let Decline To State voters vote in their primaries. It it was so, that "independents" were allowed to request any party ballot - this would not be.

[gristy]

5. Sorry your daughter had trouble

I got my ballot in the mail (I am a permanent vote-by-mail voter) and dropped it off at my polling place Tuesday morning.

No trouble at all!

And of course hind-sight is 20-20, but if your daughter had called the registrar's office before election day and asked them to confirm her registration, I'm sure they would have been happy to do so!

edit: spellin'

[rumpel]

6. oh, I wish it was as you say

it is a long story - all documented at the time right here in the election forum. At the time I was also in touch with Brad.
We were in Norwalk - I can tell it got worse from there.

[rumpel]

11. I am sorry, I'm steaming. After all these years of obvious problems

it is, as if this is business as usual.

If I make such an accounting error in my business - I won't have a job.