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Ballot box blues

Sidebar�California�s corrections

After University of California computer scientists conducted a technical evaluation in 2007, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen effectively decertified all the direct-recording electronic (DRE) systems formerly approved for use in the state, pending adoption of the following security upgrades. The systems have since been recertified.

● Reinstall the firmware or software in all voting system components.

● Remove, block or disable access to unneeded ports on the machines.

● Harden the servers to improve security.

● Follow security protocols recommended or required by the vendor.

● Ban all modem and wireless connections, regardless of their purpose, to prevent unauthorized access to computers, networks or the Internet, all of which would present significant security risks.

● Add security seal and chain-of-custody provisions, some of which already existed.

● Require a 100 percent manual count of all ballots cast on the Sequoia Voting Systems and Diebold Election Systems (now Premier Election Solutions) DRE machines.

● Adopt procedures to require more manual auditing in cases in which the results of a race are within a certain margin. The secretary of state’s office planned to specify the details of the procedures after consulting with election officials.