On November 6, Bucks County citizens will be asked to continue the county's Open Space program by approving a bond issue, which will provide millions of dollars to purchase and preserve the natural areas that are Bucks County's beautiful heritage.

In great contrast to this open space program is the 'Closed Space' that exists in Bucks County government.  In June 2005, after hearing that Bucks County government, mandated by federal law to replace its lever voting machines, would be making a decision about what type of voting system it would choose in its place, Ruth Matheny and I founded the Coalition for Voting Integrity (CVI).  We organized a forum of computer experts to warn the County Commissioners about the dangers of purchasing a Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting system.  For months previous to their decision to purchase our present Danaher DRE voting system, the Coalition continued to present the County Commissioners with detailed research from computer scientists as well as other states' actual experience, and our federal government GAO study of the insecurity, inaccuracy and unverifiability of these externally paperless voting systems.  We also presented evidence from New Mexico, where the loss of votes in the November 2004 election caused New Mexico to replace its Danaher DRE system with a voter-marked paper ballot/optical scan system, providing real proof of voters' choice and at lower cost to taxpayers.

But the closed-mind mentality that prevails in County government rejected any citizen input and rejected the very foundation of our Democracy, source proof of votes! Relying only on information from vendors and the recommendation of a "work-study" group composed only of County employees, which was apparently put together at the last minute with no chance for review by citizens, two Commissioners (Martin and Cawley) chose the Danaher DRE system.  They chose to purchase many "used" machines, contracted with a private N.J. company of which they could not tell us at a public meeting the ownership, stockholders, subcontractors, nor address questions on reported dealings with certain other companies, even six months after signing the contract. We still are awaiting several critical answers for this N.J. company performs many services, including before, during and after elections.

The selected voting system has been cited as one of the most at risk of losing votes in use in the U.S. plus it is very costly to taxpayers, especially in comparison to other choices which would have also provided proof of voters' actual source entry. Worst of all is the fact that the 'Closed Space' decision of the County Commissioners has given us a voting system requiring complete "trust." No one in Bucks County knows exactly what is fully programmed on the voting machines on Election Day.  No one can prove reported results match the original intent of voters. Results are what the "fatally flawed," according to top security experts, DRE machines "say," with no way to verify to voters' actual selection.  

Following the November 2006 election, in which the Congressional race was decided by a margin of victory of less than 1% and no recount could be called for on this externally paperless system, CVI asked to examine the election returns. Though it is impossible to compare actual votes to results, we can at least check some external data as to number of voters signing in versus machine numbers reported. Despite the statute that entitles citizens to inspect election returns, CVI, after weeks of stalling, had to hire a lawyer to gain access to the election records.  Similarly, a request to see the cost estimate sheets for alleged savings was rebuffed for months.

Bucks County Commissioners make critical decisions determining the future of our county.  They need to make space for citizens to have their voices heard.  Instead of being put down for voicing concern, instead of forcing citizens to pay for lawyers to see what is their right to see, instead of relying only on vendors and county employees for input, they need to open their minds and ears to citizens.

It's time for real 'Open Space' in Bucks...time for real involvement of citizens in OUR government! Abraham Lincoln stated, "Elections belong to the people. It is their decision." It's time to make elections OUR decision. Despite the serious flaws in the machines chosen by Commissioners Martin and Cawley, it is also more important than ever to vote and to do so in record numbers.