OK everyone. Looks like it's time to start up some Letters to the Editor!! More info coming soon. When writing to the Bee, please tell them you are responding to this article that appeared on Saturday (02/18):
Diebold voting machines OK'd
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14203240p-15029564c.html

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From Debra Bowen:

I have just learned that Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has conditionally certified the use of Diebold electronic voting machines in California's 2006 elections.

Secretary of State McPherson's release of bad news late on a Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend is a blatant attempt to prevent us from learning about this decision. We were in a similar position the Friday before Christmas last year when the AP ran a story disclosing voting problems from last November's special election.

But, try as he might, Secretary of State McPherson is not going to succeed in burying this story from the people of California -- this is too critical an issue to go away quietly.

With the many problems that have plagued Diebold machines, as well as the complete lack of transparency into this certification process, McPherson's decision certainly does nothing to restore confidence in California's elections.

I'll have much more to say about this Diebold certification in the next few days, and I'll be inviting you to do your part as well, but for now I just wanted to share this information with you.

Thanks for your continued support.

Have a happy and safe Presidents' Day weekend!

Sincerely,

Debra Bowen
California State Senator