epic.org
 EPIC FOIA Notes

EPIC FOIA Notes #3
April 18, 2005

DIEBOLD MISLED STATE VOTING OFFICIALS

SNAPSHOT [click for full document: Part A | Part B | Part C]

THE DISCLOSURE
Formerly secret documents obtained by EPIC from Ohio reveal that Diebold misled state officials about the capability of its voting machines. Diebold claimed that its machines would last at least 20 years.

THE ISSUE
Congress is providing $3 billion over three years to replace outdated voting technology. If vendors mislead the public about the reliability of their voting machines, then taxpayers could pay twice on Election Day.

THE BACKGROUND
Diebold is the same company that misled California about its AccuVote machine. California barred the use of this voting system in the 2004 election. In Maryland, some Diebold machines broke down on Election Day.

THE SIGNIFICANCE
Contrary to Diebold's assertions, the report by an independent lab said that the AccuVote was good for only 8 years.

EPIC FOIA Notes

Subscribe / Unsubscribe

Contact: +1 202 483 1140
x104 (FOIA Notes Hotline)

FOIA Links

EPIC Open Government
EPIC 2005 FOIA Gallery
National FOI Day
FOIA Advocates Network
PI FOIA Project
Open the Government
Freedominfo.org
Secrecy News

FOIA Publications

Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2006

Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2006

FOIA Documents

View the EPIC FOIA Gallery

About the Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act establishes a legal right for individuals to obtain records in the possession of government agencies. The FOIA is critical for the functioning of democratic government because it helps ensure that the public is fully informed about matters of public concern. The FOIA has helped uncover fraud, waste, and abuse in the federal government. It has become particularly important in the last few years as the government has tried to keep more of its activities secret.