Date: 12/16/2008
Final
Public Testimony
ELECTION REFORM COMMISSION
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03:12 PM -- Public Testimony
The following persons testified before the commission:
03:12 PM -- Mr. Russ Ragsdale, representing the County of Broomfield, testified before the commission. Commission members received written copies of Mr. Ragsdale's testimony (Attachment B). Mr. Ragsdale discussed his professional background as it pertains to elections, and offered his perspective on voting systems certification at the federal level. Mr. Ragsdale provided some background on the recent history of federal certification standards, and discussed the current status of the standards. Mr. Ragsdale explained how the federal Election Assistance Commission, with which he works as a representative, performs testing on electronic voting systems. Mr. Ragsdale discussed the types of electronic voting systems that will be allowed for use in Colorado if the provisions of House Bill 08-1155 are allowed to sunset. Finally, Mr. Ragsdale discussed options available to the commission and legislature as it considers establishing voting system certification standards, and offered his opinion on the proper course of action.
03:22 PM
Mr. Ragsdale responded to questions regarding the nature of his work with the federal Election Assistance Commission, and his recommendations for changes to the voting system certification process in Colorado in light of the impending sunset of the provisions of House Bill 08-1155. Mr. Ragsdale responded to further questions regarding the impact of state and federal certification standards on adopting voting system technology enhancements offered by vendors. Discussion ensued regarding the proper voting system testing standards for Colorado to adopt as the 2007 federal standards are finalized.
03:33 PM
Discussion ensued regarding the efficacy of the current generation of electronic voting systems, the ability to ensure the integrity of the systems used in Colorado, and the direction Colorado should go with regard to acquiring and certifying sound voting equipment in the future. The discussion included consideration of adopting voting system certification standards promulgated by another state or the federal Election Assistance Commission. Mr. Ragsdale responded to questions regarding the status of voting system testing and certification standards at the federal level.
03:43 PM
Mr. Ragsdale responded to questions regarding the requirements contained in voting system certification standards promulgated by the federal government in 2002 and 2005. Discussion returned to the potential for adopting voting system certification standards promulgated by another state such as California, and the nature of the standards adopted by California and Florida. Mr. Ragsdale responded to questions regarding the incremental improvement of electronic voting systems by vendors. Mr. Ragsdale responded to questions regarding the vendors that are registered for testing with the federal Election Assistance Commission.
03:53 PM
Discussion ensued regarding situations where states have relied upon the certification standards adopted by other states, and the potential for the need for reciprocal agreements between states if certification standards are shared between states. Discussion followed regarding the number of states that rely upon federal certification standards for electronic voting machines. Commission members received a sheet created by the federal Election Assistance Commission showing which states participate in federal voting standards (Attachment C). Discussion turned to the cost associated with voting system certification.
04:01 PM -- Ms. Mary Eberle, representing Coloradans for Voting Integrity, testified before the commission. Commission members received a handout entitled "the Twelve Principles of Good Election Practice" authored by the Democracy Technology Project (Attachment D). Ms. Eberle addressed comments made during earlier testimony. Ms. Eberle then read the contents of Attachment D for the record, and commented on the types of voting systems that would create confidence on the part of the public in the voting process. Discussion ensued regarding the availability for use of a certain voting system in Colorado.
04:07 PM
The commission discussed the upcoming commission schedule. The commission then adjourned.