All Posts By

Bev Harris

OBSERVATION

Caucus Integrity

A caucus is an election style where participants come together in a meeting to first discuss, then vote. The process is more transparent than most U.S. elections because you can see who can vote, who did vote, observe the vote count, and (hopefully) observe the chain of custody. With caucuses, chain of custody has been a weak area. Sometimes party…
Bev Harris
February 1, 2016
Uncategorized

2016-01-07 – Voter data breaches

Your voter information is sometimes stolen by burglars. Sometimes it gets hacked, sometimes leaked. Occasionally employees take it home. Sometimes it gets lost, and sometimes it gets found by someone else. For these reasons, we should be judicious about what information we require for a voter registration, how voter lists can be used, and how they are protected. Nowadays that old,…
Bev Harris
January 7, 2016
COMPANIESELECTIONS INDUSTRY

2008/01/07 – New Hampshire election credibility

Sancho: Oh my. Wynne: Oh. Oh no! Pynchon: What is it? What is it? Wynne: Seven "yes," one "no"!  (Ballots: Six "no," one "yes") Pynchon: Oh my god! This video calls into question the accountability of New Hampshire elections. Most New Hampshire vote counts are not observable. Votes have been counted on the Diebold Accuvote ballot scanner technology, which can…
Bev Harris
January 2, 2016
ELECTIONS INDUSTRYPURCHASING

About Purchasing

Purchasing is the act of procuring goods, services or works from an external source. Public purchases should be: • Needed • Of good quality • Purchased at the best possible cost. Public bodies often put out an "RFP" (Request for Purchase), or bid process in which companies must submit a proposed request, all using the same requirements, and generally unable to see…
Bev Harris
December 16, 2015
ACTIONSROLE MODELS

About Role Models

A role model is a person who leads by example. Because elections are multi-faceted, people with different kinds of expertise can become highly effective using their own unique skill set. Being a role model does not require wealth or a powerful position; anybody from the community has the potential to become an outstanding election integrity role model. "Never doubt that…
Bev Harris
December 14, 2015
ACTIONSADVOCACY

About Advocacy

Advocacy aims to influence decisions, engaging in a series of actions to change "what is" into a "what should be." There are several approaches to advocacy. SEE ADVOCACY EXAMPLES   Advocacy strategies can: - Question the way policy is administered - Open up space for public argumentation. - Influence agendas by raising significant issues - Target political systems that are…
Bev Harris
December 14, 2015
ACTIONSOBSERVATION

About Election Observation

Election observation helps to assess the fairness, transparency, and lawful conduct of an election process. Observers do not interfere, and while they do not directly prevent electoral fraud, they may act as a deterrent. • The primary function of election observation is to record and report problems with election integrity. • It's important to observe the entire process -- before,…
Bev Harris
December 14, 2015
ACTIONSORGANIZING

About Organizing

Organizing to achieve better election integrity involves coming together into a group, or social network, that acts in shared interest. In general, connecting with and building a network amplifies power. • Organizing can aim to create a durable organization, or it can be less formal and more temporary in character. • Organizing can promote consensus building, which may be viewed…
Bev Harris
December 14, 2015
ACTIONSRESEARCH

About Research

Election integrity research is any systematic investigation to discover facts or collect information in order to improve election transparency, fairness and accountability. Research includes methods such as observation to document election problems; case studies; quotations from experts and witnesses; tests, photo / video evidence, collection of costs and statistics. Some useful research sources are: • Public records • Video and…
Bev Harris
December 14, 2015
ACTIONSIMPROVE TECHNOLOGY

About Technology

Technology can make elections more accountable to the public, or less transparent, depending on how it is used. Technology to improve public accountability and transparency of elections: Technologies to enable on-the-spot video or photo capture of results, processes, or irregularities can help enormously to deter misconduct. Rapid, dispersed communication, enabled through electronic communication, can time-stamp information, making it more difficult…
Bev Harris
December 14, 2015