Open Source Voting
I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and it’s time for me to do the research. I really think we have to put together an open source voting initiative, and get the public to accept and ratify it. The only way we’re going to accept the validity of any electronic devices that assist the voting process is to open the software to the public that runs said devices. If we can create an open secure and reliable e-voting software platform, and have it ratified by a board of respected professionals, we could get the public to accept the software and use it across the country instead of that despicable swill that we cannot trust because we have no idea what it’s doing under the covers. This is really not that hard of a problem. We can create a solution that ensures complete anonymity and security, while making it completely reliable and to give a confirmation for each person that a vote has been cast and counted for them, which they could check via internet or by phone system. No one will ever be disenfranchised again. This system would provide a paper trail and will have complete referential integrity. This is not a hard problem. We can be thorough, we can be correct. The source will be open — so everyone will be able to double-check the methodology. After we’ve created this voting software, we can hold our own guerrilla vote. Open up voting in the contested states, or anywhere we like. Take the numbers, see what we come up with. Push the envelope — take matters in our own hands. It’ll be a good test of the software, and further it will collect the real data of the vote. We can make some noise, and publish the results. Any time we like, as often as we like. If we don’t trust the vote, let’s hold our own. Let’s take the power back folks. Let’s make them listen. I’m looking around the web, and I’m finding open source voting projects. I have to do the research to find out who is doing what out there, and see if there’s a project to join that’s worthy, or if we want to start our own. Anyone that’s interested, send me mail and let’s do the due dilligence. Do a google search on open source voting. check out the projects. Post your research results. I’ll be doing the same. Then, let’s make our move.
This is an idea I can fully support from my unsupportable centrist position. I’m on it, brother!
So I just heard Lawrence Lessig give a brilliant talk on his usual topics. One major theme was this: we (academics, in his case) are a very special populace. We have this odd belief in the power of spells — “words” — to change the world. We certainly change our own minds, but aren’t too good at getting the message out. Not to a world that speaks languages like “politics” and “money.”
[Scary story: he talked about a policy for renewing copyrights for $1 every 50 years that was before congress. (This would have a huge number of salutory effects.) The RIAA fought it on the basis that it would "unduly burden poor copyright holders." The policy was killed.]
The principles for safe and secure voting have been known for quite a while. Lorrie Cranor — http://lorrie.cranor.org/voting/ — wrote a brilliant thesis on the topic back in 1997, for example. She implemented a system; others have been tested around the world.
And yet when the world’s foremost maker of ATMs decided to make eVoting, they manged to botch it badly. It’s pretty clear that the *last* thing they wanted to do was look at outside research or implementations.
Why would an open source version be different?
What I think is needed, more than an open source, is a *constituency* — a group of identifiable people with identifiable interests. A PAC. With lobbyists. And money. And next to them, a corporation that’s able to be the low bidder on an open source voting system. Not just the software, but the *system* : central servers, clients, etc.
(Indeed, you want open source voting *code*? Got it: http://www.j-dom.org/users/ — but see http://www.gnu.org/software/free/ .)
You have the right enthusiasm — but let’s figure out how to drive it in the most effective way.
-Danyel
Danyel — excellent direction, as per usual. So, how do we form this constituency? How can we activate our base, and make this an issue that can’t be ignored? How do we hack the system?