Voting machines get careful exam
County double-checks software codes

By Jerry Cornfield
Everett Herald Writer 14 September 2004

EVERETT - In an unprecedented security check, Snohomish County election officials took apart several touch-screen machines Monday to verify each is using the correct vote-counting software before today's primary election.

Observers from the Democratic and Republican parties watched Michelle Smith open up nine machines and remove a mini-disc from each for examination. Coding on each disc was checked against an inventory list provided by Washington's Secretary of State.

No problems were found.

"This is to ensure that no rogue software is launched," Snohomish County Auditor Bob Terwilliger said.

Today, the same machines will be set aside in a conference room of the sheriff's office for additional monitoring as a control group. Mock votes will be cast on each and tallies done at the end of the day to ensure all votes cast are counted and counted correctly.

The two days of review are in response to growing concern as to whether electronic voting machines are secure from tampering, hacking or simple failure. Secretary of State Sam Reed ordered the stepped-up effort in Snohomish and Yakima counties, the only two counties in the state using touch-screen voting equipment.

While the tests do no guarantee the remaining 841 machines in use today will work properly, they were meant to bolster the confidence of those who've raised questions in the past.

Martin Daniels, a software developer who has pressed for tougher scrutiny of software, watched Monday on behalf of the Democratic Party.

"The tests they're doing are not scientifically significant because there are ways to fool it," Daniels said. "But it shows their intent to have control of the software."

Bernie Jensen of Everett, the designated Republican witness, said he's comfortable with the electronic devices.

"It's comforting, and it's assuring to know that adequate safeguards are in place to guarantee the voting process has integrity," he said.

Also watching was Patra Liu, assistant inspector general for Miami-Dade County, Fla. That county began using touch-screen machines in September 2002, with disastrous results. Voters were turned away when polling places didn't open because devices were not operational.

Now, that county wants to do testing similar to that done by Snohomish County to restore voter confidence.

She said it was good "to see it done here in a calm, organized setting."

Daniels will spend today casting test votes on the nine sequestered machines, using them for comparison with the machines voters will use.

"Elections are complex," Daniels said. "There is no perfect system on the planet. My interest is always to keep people voting."