Experts Convened by AAAS Call for Voter-System Research and Reform, Warning of Broad Vulnerability

A panel of top experts on election technology and administration warned Tuesday that the American system of voting is broadly vulnerable to error and abuse, and called for a crash-course of study and reform to make results more reliable and to promote better access by voters, especially those who have historically encountered serious impediments to exercising their right to vote.

In findings released after a weekend conference convened by AAAS, the 18-member panel concluded that research into new voting technology and the behavior of voters, election officials and poll workers will be essential to reforms that ensure maximum voter participation, trust and confidence while guaranteeing privacy and the integrity of the results. The research — and the reforms — will become increasingly important as the United States considers moving toward an Internet-based voting system, the panelists said.

"Everything is connected to everything else," said Shirley Malcom, AAAS's head of education and human resources. "Within the roots of the system there may be a connection to disempowerment and disenfranchisement."

For more information, read the full story.

Related Links:

Workshop home page
Agenda
Participants & Synopses
Report

Video:

Real 128K || Real 56K || Download RealPlayer
Windows 128k || Windows 56k || Download Windows Media Player