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| 8-1-06: NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR 2 CE... |
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| Author |
Message |
    
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5477
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? 
Votes: 11 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 6:15 am: | 
|
This is your chance to suggest improvements.
The Citizen's Tool Kit contains 20 modules, listed below. The concept is to begin actively managing your government by choosing JUST ONE THING -- and doing it.
Choose one action – any action. This is YOUR tool kit to help you and your group take action and monitor upcoming elections, so contribute input as desired.
You own your government, it's not the other way around.
When you own something, it's up to you to manage it. The Citizen's Tool Kit was created through combined expertise with many of our nation's most effective and experienced citizens, to help you learn the management skills that work.
When you take any action in this Citizen's Tool Kit, you will master skills to enact truly meaningful oversight over your government.
Your children and grandchildren will inherit the government you give to them.
If you don't manage your own government, who will?
Citizen's Tool Kit Modules
Take Back Your Elections
MOBILIZATION MODULES
Module 1: Have a House Party
Module 2: Organize a Town Meeting
Module 3: Give a Speech to a Group
HARD CORE EVIDENCE MODULES
Module 9: Adopt Part of an Election: Check Out the System Testing
Module 10: Adopt Part of an Election: Check On Voter Registration Lists
Module 11: Adopt Part of an Election: Become a Poll Worker or Elections Judge
Module 12: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Voting
Module 13: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Counting
Module 14: Adopt Part of an Election: Watch the Chain of Custody
Module 15: Adopt Part of an Election: Audit for Accuracy
Module 8: Get Public Records and Freedom of Information Documents
CREATIVE & SPECIALTY MODULES
Module 4: Be the Media
Module 5: Adopt a Public Official
Module 6: Follow the Money Trail: Who's Getting Paid?
Module 7: Accountability Check-up: Did the Election Follow Rules & Laws?
Module 16: Legal Actions
'PLAN B' MODULE
Module 17: Count the Votes Yourself
MODULES FOR CANDIDATES, CELEBRITIES, AND WEALTHY CITIZENS
Module 18: Actions for Candidates
Module 19: Famous Voices - Election Actions for Celebrities)
Module 20: Actions for High Net Worth Individuals
Each module is being posted here for your perusal and commentary today. We'll take your ideas into consideration and update the Citizen's Tool Kit as needed. To help you customize each module for your own community or group, a page is also provided at the end of each module.
The entire Tool Kit will be available module by module and as one complete document.
Citizen's Tool Kit to Take Back Elections
Intro
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-intro.pdf
Mobilization Modules
Module 1: House Parties
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-house-party.pdf
Module 2: Town Meetings
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-town-meeting.pdf
Module 3: Speeches
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-speaking.pdf
HARD CORE EVIDENCE MODULES
Module 9: Adopt Part of an Election: Check Out the System Testing
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-testing.pdf
Module 10: Adopt Part of an Election: Check On Voter Registration Lists
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-voter-registration.pdf
Module 11: Adopt Part of an Election: Become a Poll Worker or Elections Judge
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-pollworker.pdf
Module 12: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Voting
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-voting.pdf
Module 13: Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Counting
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-counting.pdf
Module 14: Adopt Part of an Election: Watch the Chain of Custody
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-chain-of-custody.pdf
Module 15: Adopt Part of an Election: Audit for Accuracy
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-audit.pdf
Module 8: Get Public Records and Freedom of Information Documents
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-public-records.pdf
CREATIVE & SPECIALTY MODULES
Module 4: Be the Media
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-media.pdf
Module 5: Adopt a Public Official
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-adopt-an-official.pdf
Module 6: Follow the Money Trail: Who's Getting Paid?
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-money-trail.pdf
Module 7: Accountability Check-up: Did the Election Follow Rules & Laws?
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-accountability.pdf
Module 16: Legal Actions
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-legal.pdf
'PLAN B' MODULE
Module 17: Count the Votes Yourself
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-count-the-votes.pdf
MODULES FOR CANDIDATES, CELEBRITIES, AND WEALTHY CITIZENS
Module 18: Actions for Candidates
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-candidates.pdf
Module 19: Famous Voices - Election Actions for Celebrities)
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-celebrities.pdf
Module 20: Actions for High Net Worth Individuals
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-affluent.pdf
Additional modules are being added throughout the day, notified by new posts here each time. Enjoy!
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Catherine Ansbro
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Catherine_a
Post Number: 3126
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 6:48 am: |
|
GREAT JOB! This is very exciting and it is very well organized. A few ideas/questions come to mind.
Are additional modules needed having to do with gathering relevant local information? These are some of the most frequent questions here, and answers are needed before the other steps can be taken. For example,
--What voting machines are used in my local area?
--How are absentee ballots processed/counted in my local area?
--Who programs the election information and/or prints the ballots used in my local area?
--What are the local laws/regulations/procedures for xxxxxxxxxx in my local area?
Or, is the point to start with the general information already provided in the BBV materials, and then move from there (via mobilization module) to gathering this information? (If so, mention this list of free resource material upfront, and that it provides everything they need to get started, and that they don't need to know all the answers before they start.)
I think one of the most frequent obstacles to people taking action is that they feel they don't have enough facts to qualify them to start. A person might not feel they "know enough" to host a house party about a topic if they don't feel they have "answers" for questions that might arise. People need to know they don't have to be an expert in order to take most of these actions.
This potential obstacle needs to be dealt with by how this info is presented. If they don't need this info in order to give a house party (or any of the other actions), then indicate this up-front. Maybe any appropriate "prerequisites" (e.g. info required) should be indicted in parentheses below each module title.
And/or will there be some kind of support network for someone to get information that they don't have, so that they can take their preferred step (e.g. give a house party or adopt a public official)? If so, these also needs to be made clear up-front. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5478
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 7:22 am: |
|
Thanks, Catherine. Very good input. Many of those points fit into the Hard Core Evidence modules -- I'll look through them to see how much is covered, and where we might add that information.
As for the support network, we've recently received a grant to beef up the One-on-One with a little more staffing, but we needed to get the Tool Kit put together as a reference guide first.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Nancy Tobi
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Ntobi
Post Number: 31
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 8:37 am: |
|
Excellent work BBV!!! I am waiting anxiously for the rest of the modules ;-) |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5479
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 8:42 am: |
|
Next module is up:
HARD CORE EVIDENCE MODULES
Module 4: Adopt Part of an Election: Check Out the System Testing
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-testing.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Burt James Bittner Jr.
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Waterflaws
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
|
What is the status of modules 5-20. Are they available now, are they being written, or are they more of an outline to work from.
Anybody know of a group(s) in Jefferson County, CO? Anybody interested? |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5480
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
|
Status of modules 5-20: All are written. They are each going through final edits. Here is Module 5:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-voter-registration.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5481
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
|
Module 6 is up: http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-pollworker.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5482
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 12:50 pm: |
|
Module 7 is up: http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-voting.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Brant Lamb
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Brantl
Post Number: 734
Registered: 01-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 12:51 pm: |
|
Why is 9 'Check the chain of custody'? Why isn't it 'Watch the actual chain of custody'? What we're told happened often isn't what did happen. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5483
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 1:24 pm: |
|
Good catch, Brant. Will fix that. You're sure right about how often it is that what we're told isn't what actually happened.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5484
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
|
Tool kit 8 is up: http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-counting.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5485
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
|
Tool Kit 9 is up, and I have changed the name of it per Brant's excellent input.
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-chain-of-custody.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Kathleen Wynne
Moderator
Username: Admin_ii
Post Number: 466
Registered: 08-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:19 pm: |
|
Folks,
We are so gratified by your positive responses about the Tool Kit. This project has been a labor of love for us at BBV. A vision to create a tool that empowers and guides citizens through action to take back our elections. It's up to you, though, to bring that vision to life.
One sure fire way to make certain that happens is that no matter what Module you choose to take action on (and we hope you'll gain confidence over time to try them all!), please remember to come back and share your experiences with us. The real value in this Tool Kit lies in our keeping it alive through ongoing interaction, support and sharing because everyone's experiences are different and invaluable in our journey to learn how to be better citizens and for ensuring and maintaining our rightful place as the managers of our own elections. The value of learning from each other and passing it on cannot be measured nor hindered, once it gets started. It's creates a life of its own that can live on indefinitely, if we work together.
And together, we can make this a gift that keeps on giving.
(Of course, after everyone reads the "Watch the Chain of Custody" Module, you will think we've gone insane for accepting such a process in our elections. There's just no way you can watch every instance of chain of custody and we've learned that elections have no place for trust. You'll be asking yourself, how did it get like this? Is there a better, simpler way?
Yes, hand counted paper ballots at the precinct, would be a piece of cake in comparison!)
Kathleen
(Message edited by admin_ii on August 01, 2006)
* * * * *
"We're counting ALL the votes. Get over it."
(-- Nancy Tobi, Democracy for New Hampshire)
Be part of the solution: Please sign up for the NATIONAL HAND COUNT REGISTRY: Go to Home Page - Hand Count Registry is right above lead story
Make November elections the biggest evidence gathering action ever. EVIDENCE = videotape, audiotape and photos. Come prepared. This time, focus on the COUNTING not just the voting.
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5486
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 5:19 pm: |
|
Tool Kit module 10 is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-audit.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5488
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 8:10 pm: |
|
Tool Kit module 11 is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-public-records.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Steven Holt
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Stockpix
Post Number: 2
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 12:18 am: |
|
Minor typo 3 lines from top of page 2 of toolkit-testing
"when, when" Suspect it should be "where and when" |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5489
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 7:35 am: |
|
Thanks for catching that. If you see anything else, just post it. I also noticed one of the modules has the page alignment slightly off, titles for next page appear on the previous page.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
cynthia black
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Clb
Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 8:11 am: |
|
You have a toolkit for those with more money than most--can't remember the name right now--how about one for those in the media. like for instance, radio? |
Jill Franklin
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Satkir
Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
|
As a longtime pollworker in RI who worked to get out the vote in Ohio in 2004, I urged disenfranshised Ohio voters to use provisional ballots. It later turned out that these weren't counted.
I'll be working at the polls again in November - as well as in September for a crucial Senatoral seat primary. While I can bring up the issue of provisional-ballot counting at worker education meetings in Providence, what would you suggest pollworkers in all states do on election day? Get contested voters to use provisional ballots or -? |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5495
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
|
Module 12 is up. http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-media.pdf
(Jill, I'll check in later with more input for you, and thanks for posting your concerns here.)
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Michelle Gabriel
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Michelle
Post Number: 8
Registered: 05-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 1:54 pm: |
|
This tool kit is really great!!!
Do you have the whole tool kit in a Word Document that can be printed out in it's entirety?
Thanks,
Michelle |
Kathleen Wynne
Moderator
Username: Admin_ii
Post Number: 468
Registered: 08-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 2:12 pm: |
|
Michelle,
The Tool Kit will be in PDF format and each Module will stand alone, so you can download any one or all (I suggest the whole kit).
At this time, the Tool Kit Modules are being finalized and as they are finished, posted one at a time, allowing for citizen review and input.
There will be 20 Modules in all and we are now up to Module 12 with 13 on its way.
Glad you like the Kit.
Kathleen
* * * * *
"We're counting ALL the votes. Get over it."
(-- Nancy Tobi, Democracy for New Hampshire)
Be part of the solution: Please sign up for the NATIONAL HAND COUNT REGISTRY: Go to Home Page - Hand Count Registry is right above lead story
Make November elections the biggest evidence gathering action ever. EVIDENCE = videotape, audiotape and photos. Come prepared. This time, focus on the COUNTING not just the voting.
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5496
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 2:24 pm: |
|
Module 13 is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-adopt-an-official.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Marian Beddill
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Uu7thprinciple
Post Number: 32
Registered: 08-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 3:15 pm: |
|
There's now a "backup" copy of this ToolKit (with permission of BBV), at
http://noleakybuckets.org/bbv/ . |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5497
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 3:50 pm: |
|
Module 14 is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-money-trail.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5498
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 4:03 pm: |
|
Thanks, Marian.
We are catching minor typos, adding a couple links, and I'll let you know when the finalized versions are ready so you can replace them.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5499
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 5:18 pm: |
|
Module 15 is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-accountability.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5500
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 5:25 pm: |
|
Hmm. I don't like the way Module 15 came out. Something in the original vision and the implementation is not effective.
Any suggestions or recommendations on this one in particular would be appreciated.
I think I need some more specific examples, and perhaps this module should be combined with the next one, Legal Actions.
Like Cynthia Black, I had been looking at doing a module for media professionals. If #s 15 and 16 are combined, we could make #20 the module for media professionals. Cynthia, if you like, shoot me some bullet points as to the kind of thing you'd find helpful. My e-mail is bev - at - blackboxvoting.org
Either Module 15 needs to be beefed up, or combined, or something.
We are going to be 2 days behind schedule on this, partly because we were awaiting something really cool from Nancy Tobi to round out Module 17. (She's not the one behind schedule, we are.)
It's my anniversary. I think I'll take the evening off from editing, get away and rethink this module and the next one.
Therefore, don't hesitate to pick it apart or throw ideas at this.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Nancy Tobi
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Ntobi
Post Number: 32
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 6:58 pm: |
|
You asked for comments on Module 15.
The current focus is on catching officials who are violating the law. For sure, that is something that needs to happen. But another approach would be to learn what the laws are in order to identify holes that need to be plugged.
1) learn where to find your state election laws
2) learn what the laws are
3 determine where you want the laws to be
4) identify the gaps
5) work to pass legislation to close the gaps
To do this means that you need to work together with officials -- election officials who understand the laws and their nuances, legislators who understand how to get laws passed, etc. etc.
For every corrupt official there are probably at least another five who are doing the right thing--or trying to under difficult circumstances--and who might just appreciate your support in repairing the system. |
Nancy Tobi
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Ntobi
Post Number: 33
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 7:13 pm: |
|
Sorry - didn't see the request for specifics.
Example #1:
New Hampshire has had a long tradition of manual recounts. But we wanted this to be codified into law so that the tradition wouldn't be lost for one reason or another. We worked with election officials and state legislature to craft legislation that passed with enthusiastic bipartisan support. Now our law reflects our tradition.
Example #2:
When the State needed to reapprove the crappy, unethical, illegitimate, defective, - er, did I mention *Diebold* -vote counting machines used in our cities and towns, we notified the citizenry about the public hearing. Roughly 75 or so people showed up to witness and testify against the reapproval. Following more than four hours of unorchestrated and moving testimony, the Ballot Law Commission nonetheless approved the machines. BUT we have it on video. In fact, we have on video the Diebold representative testifying that Diebold admits the software is defective. SO we are asking for the transcript under the right to know laws. AND there was ONE commissioner who voted the right way. AND the Commission and the State are ON NOTICE that this kind of stuff will not fly for too much longer in the live free or die state. This story is not yet over. As we examine the laws we consider our options. So what have we learned? We need to gather evidence (audiovisual and documented). We need to know the laws. We need to show up. And we must not give up.
Sorry for the long example, but the point is, that regardless of what it is, we need to find ways to work together towards solutions. Catching bad guys is an imperative too, but it goes together with the other stuff. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5501
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 10:15 pm: |
|
Nancy,
Actually, I think I missed the mark even wider than that. You see, though I did a very poor job of showing how spectacular the work of Jody Holder, Bruce Sims, Susan Pynchon and Melissa Urda has been, what I totally missed the boat on was this:
It doesn't matter what the law is. It's not being followed and there is no redress, with the exception of very iffy lawsuits which rarely survive dismissal.
Your concept is good, but you have public officials who make a decent effort to follow the law.
That is not the case in DuPage County, or San Diego County, or at the state level in California, or at the state level in Florida.
In those locations, public officials literally thumb their noses at citizens and put more effort into cover-up than into trying to abide by the law.
So passing more laws will do very little.
What I missed was showing more explictly just how much trouble we're in, and parallel to that, just how heroic the efforts of these citizens have been, and why they need more people doing the same thing, until the volume of the public outrage goes up several decibels.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Kathleen Wynne
Moderator
Username: Admin_ii
Post Number: 469
Registered: 08-2005
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 10:32 pm: |
|
After reviewing the Module again, I think what stands out to me that should be highlighted is the fact that these citizens took extraordinary measures in following the conventional steps that are available to us in holding our public officials accountable when they violate the law.
The issue at hand, as I see it, is that, even though these citizens (as described in Module 15) did exactly what they were supposed to do, did the leg work and learned about the applicable laws, followed the appropriate procedures, and legally supported their case that laws were indeed broken, these public officials were still not held accountable. In the end, the system failed them.
What needs to be shown is that despite heroic efforts taken by citizens all over the country to use the system to hold those in power accountable, public officials are consistently and blatantly not being held accountable for breaking the law. What's even more disturbing is that there is no political will to enforce the laws either. The big question we have to answer is, what other recourses are left for citizens to stop this behavior? None, if we don't change it!
The real importance of citizens going ahead and taking such actions, as stipulated in Module 15, is to definitively show to those who still don't see that there's a problem here, just how systemic this problem really is and how it penetrates and infects the democratic process at every level. As Jody Holder said, "it's like a cancer". And folks, it's spreading fast and killing our way of life.
I have to believe that once citizens see for themselves that the system is totally broken and is incapable of fixing itself, this universal ephiphany could very well be the turning point that will convince every concerned citizen to delay no longer in joining forces and not rest until we clean up this festoring pool of corruption and betrayal.
This is one of the lessons I think can be learned from Module 15.
Kathleen
(Message edited by admin_ii on August 02, 2006)
* * * * *
"We're counting ALL the votes. Get over it."
(-- Nancy Tobi, Democracy for New Hampshire)
Be part of the solution: Please sign up for the NATIONAL HAND COUNT REGISTRY: Go to Home Page - Hand Count Registry is right above lead story
Make November elections the biggest evidence gathering action ever. EVIDENCE = videotape, audiotape and photos. Come prepared. This time, focus on the COUNTING not just the voting.
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5502
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
|
Thank you so much, Kathleen, for verbalizing what was bothering me -- and thanks Nancy Tobi for providing a very important balance. I think we need to show both sides.
I was upset after seeing how Module 15 turned out, and after talking with Kathleen, realized why. It wasn't honest. One commitment we have at BBV is to tell it to you straight.
The current Module 15 is a pep talk when it should be a set of tools for trying to use the system -- as Nancy has done -- and learning to differentiate whether you have public officials that are responsive or not.
We need to show more clearly what citizens are up against when they have public officials who aren't afraid to break the law.
And at the same time, we need to mobilize people to join these courageous people and add more power to their work and their voices.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Catherine Ansbro
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Catherine_a
Post Number: 3131
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 1:53 am: |
|
Haven't read the module yet--but it sounds like you need to clearly address both strands--
Doing what is necessary to figure out which officials can be trusted (and how far), and which cannot.
As part of this, one must figure out which ones would be sympathetic if they could be (but are under too much pressure e.g. afraid of losing their jobs), and which ones are "ringleaders" who enthusiastically break the law.
We then need 3 different ways of interacting with these 3 different groups of officials. In each case the strategy and the tactics need to be very different. It would hurt our effort, for example, if we treat all election officials as if they belong in the group of worst offenders and use the same strategy with all.
Some actions may be common to two or more of the three groups, but others may be very different.
We need ways to help us distinguish or figure out where an official's heart is on this issue, and how to evaluate their ethical stance in relation to election matters. |
Nancy Tobi
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Ntobi
Post Number: 34
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 5:10 am: |
|
And now for my less Pollyanna approach:
I agree with all you have said above. There should be a balance, and maybe part of our conundrum is the complexity of dealing with these things.
This is more than a pep talk; we need to really think strategically. Part of that is discerning who you are really working with, who you need to be working with, and who you can't work with.
Then there is the psychological aspect of whistleblowing - and this may be a big part of it. In many cases these may be people that we know who are violating the law. What do we do then? How do we deal with that?
Maybe looking at this component - the whistleblowing aspect of it - is important.
Because I tend to take people at face value, I, myself, am deathly afraid of finding out that someone I actually know is working on the wrong side of this. And people, as you have pointed out, do this for any number of reasons, and they are not just BAD people.
So what do we do with that? |
Nancy Tobi
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Ntobi
Post Number: 35
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 5:23 am: |
|
One last thought: Food for your soul.
Courage and patience. What Bev and Kathleen are talking about it is the apparent failure of our efforts. But we never really know when something has succeeded or failed, because the effects of our actions are often felt much later on - sometimes after we are not around to know about it.
We've had so many failures in our efforts here in NH, many more failures than successes, I would say.
I have something I keep in my pocket at all times, through all the inevitable failures and setbacks. These are the words that came from one of my favorite people, much smarter than I, who, during a dark time, said to me (with a genuine laugh!), "this is the best thing that could happen to you, this is food for your soul."
Since not everyone has someone like this around, maybe Module 15 can help out. |
Brant Lamb
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Brantl
Post Number: 741
Registered: 01-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 6:54 am: |
|
15 needs the following added to it: Don't forget to involve the 'villagers'; remember the scenes in 'Frankenstein' when the villagers are chasing the monster with pitchforks and torches?
Politicians of any strip (unfortunately) respond to public opinion and bad publicity as 2 and 3 on their priority list, generally with 1 being responding to those who support their campaigns.
They will respond to 2 and 3 when they are overwhelming enough, or look as though the 2 will cause legal action or the politician being thrown out of office. You're forgetting the daylight factor. The 'villagers' are crucial to this.
All of this scurrying around that these people do is like rats, the rats do it in the dark and the politicians do it secretively. Publicize the hell out of any of these efforts, if you can't get press coverage, pin it up in your local grocery store! Publish highlighted copies of the regs infringed right next to the pictures/stories of who infringed it. Explain in clear detail what they did wrong. Things don't get changed in an informational vacuum. We subconsciously think everybody knows this stuff because we do. It's not so, ask Kurt. Alert / rouse the 'villagers'!
Even if you don't have a legal case you may well have a publicity case. There's nothing wrong with using Karl Rove's tactics if you tell nothing but the truth. |
Kathleen Wynne
Moderator
Username: Admin_ii
Post Number: 470
Registered: 08-2005
Best of Black Box? 
Votes: 2 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 7:06 am: |
|
I agree, Nancy.
Module 15 should inspire a kind of spiritial awakening of America, reminding us that, it is when things are at their worse -- we are at our best.
This isn't just an intellectual problem we are facing (that requires very smart people to figure it out), it's much more a crisis of the human spirit. How else can those in power continue to rationalize their betrayal of their country and their fellow citizens and still sleep at night?
We need to find that spirit that lifted up Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and yes, the women suffrogates, who dared fight against what seemed impossible odds and won. This spirit lies dormant in everyone, until we choose to call on it.
Kathleen
(Message edited by admin_ii on August 03, 2006)
* * * * *
"We're counting ALL the votes. Get over it."
(-- Nancy Tobi, Democracy for New Hampshire)
Be part of the solution: Please sign up for the NATIONAL HAND COUNT REGISTRY: Go to Home Page - Hand Count Registry is right above lead story
Make November elections the biggest evidence gathering action ever. EVIDENCE = videotape, audiotape and photos. Come prepared. This time, focus on the COUNTING not just the voting.
|
From the Mailbag
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Mailbag
Post Number: 83
Registered: 10-2005
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 8:39 am: |
|
Sent by e-mail from Sue J.:
quote:Which modules are applicable/should be focused on, for mail= in voting,
which is what Oregon has?
Answer for citizens in all mail-in state Oregon: All the modules apply except Module 7, monitoring the voting at the polls. Oregon counts votes by computerized machines, made by the same vendors used by the rest of the county. Black Box Voting strongly encourages citizens in Oregon to try any one of the "Hard Core Evidence" modules, excepting Module 7. We think you'll be very surprised at what you find. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5508
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 2:53 pm: |
|
Module 15 has been entirely redone. Thank you very much for your input -- you'll see that quite a bit of it was used in the new Module 15.
Link is the same: http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-accountability.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Catherine Ansbro
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Catherine_a
Post Number: 3133
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
|
Great job.
Another comment--when an official is in Category 2 (maybe a little sympathetic but they don't feel "safe" enough to say anything or do anything to rock the boat), they still might occasionally be willing or able to help in important ways. For example, they might help understand who holds the decision-making power in a certain body or political structure, or what/who is most likely to influence a decision. They might also be able to suggest documents that might be requested under PRR/FOI, or let someone know about an upcoming meeting or other event that was not widely publicized.
In other words, some officials in Category 2 might be useful and helpful, depending on their attitude. Their response might depend a lot on how they were approached. Such a person might become more helpful over time if a respectful relationship is actively cultivated, one that respects the vulnerabilities, limitations and perspective of the official involved. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5509
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 4:30 pm: |
|
Module 16 is now up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-legal.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Scott S. Cooper
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Sscoop
Post Number: 9
Registered: 05-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 9:33 pm: |
|
Bev,
I've downloaded all the modules of the toolkit. I can't get the Link to the whole toolkit to work. I would like to distribute it to my network of friends around the country. We have an Elections Forum on care2 network. Could you possibly put the Link up again?
Thank you, Scott S. Cooper. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5513
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 10:06 am: |
|
Scott, I'm working on it. I want to get all the modules reviewed more thoroughly before compiling it and I promise it won't take much longer!
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Scott S. Cooper
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Sscoop
Post Number: 10
Registered: 05-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
|
Bev,
Thank you for responding, we appreciate the work of this group and these Forums. We're going to make sure that this knowledge gets used in a productive fashion for the good of all Americans. I want to register my deep appreciation of your Humanity and resolve. Only through educating the People can we hope to stop this Juggernaut towards Chaos that some of our Leaders are foisting on the Public. Good Work, All of you! |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5514
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 12:06 pm: |
|
Module 17 is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-count-the-votes.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Brant Lamb
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Brantl
Post Number: 745
Registered: 01-2005
Best of Black Box?
Votes: 1 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 2:00 pm: |
|
In module 15 there are more than 3 kinds of people. There are people who are unsympathetic but aren't any kind of players. (Some are head in the sand, or have no experience of this happening, so it couldn't have happened, or just plain clueless.) Some may be honest but refuse to believe that "anyone would do that!". There are probably other flavors as well, I just can't picture them right now.
Also, 'the villagers with the torches and pitchforks' point seems to have been half-missed, besides the rising up, it takes lots of people carrying pitchforks and torches just to get the monsters attention, much less put him on the run. So you have to publicize what is happening to alert the other 'villagers'. And the laws / public opinion are your pitchfork and publicity is your torch (whether it be the media or otherwise; if you can't get the media involved start posting it on public message boards at the supermarkets!). Make sure that people know about this stuff, whether they like it or not. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5516
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 4:05 pm: |
|
Thanks, Brant. Will consider the input, as well as a point Catherine made regarding Module 15, upthread.
Module 17 with slight revisions was just posted, per input from Nancy Tobi.
Module 18 is now up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-candidates.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Tom Courbat
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Leftisbest
Post Number: 23
Registered: 06-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Sunday, August 6, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
|
Bev,
I've never seen anything this comprehensive. I plan to read every page - have printed it out and putting in a binder.
We are working on a "how to" or "how we did it" manual from our monitoring efforts in Riverside County and hope to have it out by the end of August, or sooner.
We will first revview your excellent work and that of Nancy Tobi, then go to our own notes and try not to overly duplicate both outstanding efforts.
You guys ROCK!!
TC |
Adele Eisner
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Eisnera
Post Number: 44
Registered: 01-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Monday, August 7, 2006 - 7:05 am: |
|
A fantastic resource, excellently written!
The most immediate wonderful benefit to us all I noticed, is that the various outlines provided keep pointing to the 360 degrees of the election process, and all the day-to-day specifics that are critical and also ours to manage. How clearly it breaks us all from thinking that it's all about election day, and the night's results on TV.
My suggestion, regards both the mobilization and especially the media piece. Though I trust your wording, I'm not seeing enough emphasis on intentional and planned working together; sharing duties and information; widely giving credit where it is due and recognition internally and publicly to other workers; and purposefully and very intentionally making sure that a wide variety of people get in front of cameras and reporters.
Obviously there is far more to do in getting our elections accountably fair to us, than any one person or small group can handle. Often public recognition for all the work each person does becomes the only short-term (and necessary) payoff to keep on going, in what can become difficult and resource-draining tasks - thus can become the biggest "prize". If that prize is kept by a few however, or by the heads of even a newly spawned organization that decides it's going to "organize" or represent all others, it introduces the same seeds of political competition and fractiousness that got us into the present election mess we're in today, and possibly even incorrect information through too small a lens. We can't afford that.
Real human equality as needs to be assumed in elections; merit not name recognition needs to be recognized; various viewpoints need to be seen; and each group's first establishing its own operating rules of fairness to all and setting a new societal way of equal access and recognition seems to me to be paramount.
Adele
________________________
"All true revolution is a call to return to our humanity in inhuman times. In such times, remaining human is itself a victory."
"Even if we knew we would lose every campaign between here and the grave, we should still choose this path of service to humanity because it is the only road that leads to a life worth living."
Rev. Jim Rigby from "Teachers, Activists: Don't Give Up" - AlterNet 8/3,2006 |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5543
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 5:08 pm: |
|
Celebrities module is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-celebrities.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5544
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 2:13 pm: |
|
Final module is up:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit-affluent.pdf
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
|
Catherine Ansbro
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Catherine_a
Post Number: 3172
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 2:55 pm: |
|
Final module
Boy this is inspiring stuff! Well done. |
Catherine Ansbro
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Catherine_a
Post Number: 3173
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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Final module, last page - the Voter Action website address needs to be corrected, then you can delete this post.
Also--maybe it's already there, but whenever corrections are made to a module or to the whole toolkit, there should be a "last revised" date & time at the top so that someone can easily know whether or not their version is the most up-to-date or not. |
Catherine Ansbro
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Catherine_a
Post Number: 3174
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
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Celebrities Module
p.8 Media Actions
3rd bullet point--edit 2nd sentence so it is a complete sentence, for clarity and consistency. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5545
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 3:35 pm: |
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Thanks -- the full toolkit is up with the Aug. 11 revision, and from now on the date will be changed with each update.
Full compiled toolkit is now posted with all the modules in the same unit -- and I'll be making those additional corrections of yours shortly, Catherine.
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
590 KB
IMPORTANT: We re-ordered the Modules and therefore, unfortunately, the old ones sometimes name a module number reference that is no longer correct. The whole kit and kaboodle needs a careful proofing and then we'll move this thread to a back page, replace it with the final one with all the modules in their new order.
* * * * *
"Regardless of size, just 1-3 people do all the work in any group. Better to have 10 groups of 10 people than one group with 100 people. That way, at least 10 people will get things done."
(-- John Brakey, an Arizona citizen)
You own your government, not the other way around. This is your task: Pick 1 thing and just DO IT. Then lead, mentor or organize 9 people to do the same thing.
Citizen Tool Kit to Take Back Elections:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
Begins 8/1/06
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Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5550
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 12:51 pm: |
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Aug. 12 updates:
Intro - proofreading edits
Be the Media - Edit to make first pages more positive
Public Records - Edit to add idea from Jeremiah Akin
This Tool Kit is a Declaration of Independence for Citizens:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
- It's time for you to recognize your own power.
- You don't need us.
- You don't have to find someone to follow.
- Pick any module. Pick a single action in it. See it to its completion.
- You've just opened the door to an unexpected evolution.
"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." -– Declaration of Independence
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Tom Courbat
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Leftisbest
Post Number: 30
Registered: 06-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 12:59 pm: |
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Hi Bev - News flash. Jeremiah Akin moved to Texas in June, but maintains close ties with us here in Riverside County, CA.
His expertise, enthusiasm and persistence is what got the movement going here, and we keep hooking him back in for advice. He is our ex-officio member of SAVE R VOTE and will always be a hero to us. |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5551
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 3:39 pm: |
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Yep, I know Jeremiah's in Texas now. He's with good folks there -- the president of the Black Box Voting Board of Directors, Vickie Karp, lives in Austin and she's already hooked up with Jeremiah. They have a good group there in Austin called VoteRescue, really dynamic people.
Eagles.
See Module 20. 
This Tool Kit is a Declaration of Independence for Citizens:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
- It's time for you to recognize your own power.
- You don't need us.
- You don't have to find someone to follow.
- Pick any module. Pick a single action in it. See it to its completion.
- You've just opened the door to an unexpected evolution.
"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." -– Declaration of Independence
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Jerry Lobdill
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Jerry_lobdill
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 7:06 am: |
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We have a loose-knit group in Tarrant Conty too. See my intro posted today in another forum area. |
anwar adi
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Anwar
Post Number: 124
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 2:44 am: |
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First of all thank you all for your efforts!
I have a suggested addition for the "Adopt Part of an Election: Monitor the Counting" module:
It looks like 40% of the votes may still be counted using optically scanned ballots:
http://www.electiondataservices.com/EDSInc_VEStudy2006.pdf
How much could citizens monitor the count of optically scanned ballots?
Could it be possible for people with camcorders to be allowed to video-record the individual ballots after they are taken out of the ballot box? If so, the video of the cast ballots could be statistically sampled and the statitical sample hand-counted. Also we could use the video to continue and fine-tune the efforts of trying to automatically read the video using a computer program. In fact the video could be uploaded to google video which has made it even easier to upload video now. In this way we could encourage many independent programmers to produce software to analize the video and count the votes. But the main driving force would be lots and lots of raw video.
If people think this idea is worth adding I could try to hash out some more details. But basically I think video-recorders should just be sure they can read the voter's marks by inspection of the video in their viewfinders. Zooming in helps. One study showed that 20 pixels per vote is enough to produce an accurate automated count. Given current video resolutions and the number of votes per ballot, I this should be true for most ballots. Good lighting also really helps make the ballot more readable and one may want to suggest that video-recorders bring a podium or hopper for the poll workers and/or officials to place the ballots into, so as to keep the position of the ballots constant.
The videotaper would not have to get actual access to the ballots...just a good view.
The idea of videotaping the ballots was part of the system we designed on the "tech central" forum area in the "redundant couting..." thread a while back. It looks to me like one can use techniques from computer vision and imaging (canny edge detection and hardware acceleration via the OpenCV library) to very quickly and accurately capture the votes once they are recorded on video. I'm working on a prototype computer-based ballot scanner now.
However even if one does not have software to analize the video, partial or full manual inspection of the video could still be used by almost anyone to provide an intimate check on the counting process.
peace 2 u,
-anwar
(Message edited by Anwar on August 21, 2006) |
Bev Harris
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 5574
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 11:41 am: |
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Anwar,
I think this is an excellent idea and more details would be helpful. I know you've been working on this and I've seen some of your work, but many have not yet had a chance to see what you've come up with.
Putting it in the Tool Kit for watching the counting is a neat idea.
(can't believe I just said "neat." What's next? "keen"?)
Anyway. That module's going to get some minor tweaks shortly anyway. Anwar, since we want to keep the Tool Kit modules short, how about put together 3-4 bullet points on the concept, and then the longer paper is something we can make into a pdf or something and post it in the Document archive. We can put a link to the details in the Tool Kit.
This Tool Kit is a Declaration of Independence for Citizens:
http://www.blackboxvoting.org/toolkit.pdf
- It's time for you to recognize your own power.
- You don't need us.
- You don't have to find someone to follow.
- Pick any module. Pick a single action in it. See it to its completion.
- You've just opened the door to an unexpected evolution.
"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." -– Declaration of Independence
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V. Kurt Bellman
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Formerelecdir
Post Number: 544
Registered: 04-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Monday, August 21, 2006 - 1:24 pm: |
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Bev,
I'm asking this because I genuinely don't know.
Will opscan precincts actually be running the ballots through the opscan machines again at poll closing, or will they simply press the close polls button? I mean, the ballots will have been run into the scanners as they were cast, all day.
Will there even be a mass scanning to observe? |
anwar adi
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Anwar
Post Number: 125
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 3:57 am: |
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Hello Kurt,
I'm not sure about your question either but the
idea is to ask the officials in charge to display the ballots after they are taken out of the ballot box for the purpose of video-recording. It is still unknown how such a request will be recieved. If you're interested in more details on this idea you can see the thread where it was discussed here:
http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/messages/9707/17779.html
Note that it is summarized in a shorter README FIRST subthread which I highly recommend
peace 2 u,
-anwar |
anwar adi
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Anwar
Post Number: 126
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 4:52 am: |
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Thank you again Ms. Harris,
I will try to boil it down to a few bullet points.
I gotta play around with my hopper/podium configurations again to see what would be best to suggest as a setup...a drawing might help there so I'll see what I can come up with.
And thanks for the quote:
"Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." -– Declaration of Independence
peace 2 u,
-anwar
(Message edited by Anwar on August 22, 2006) |
Dan Oetting
Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Dan_oetting
Post Number: 54
Registered: 07-2006
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 8:03 pm: |
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The election judge should shuffle the ballots before they are fanned in front of the cameras. otherwise someone might be able to link the order of the ballots to the voter names in the poll book and then determine how individuals voted. |
anwar adi
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Anwar
Post Number: 128
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 7:16 am: |
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so I posted my proposed sub-module in a sub-thread (see above). I don't want this possible tangential discussion to detract from other comments people may have above other modules.
peace 2 u,
-anwar |
anwar adi
Frequent Voting Rights Forum Participant
Username: Anwar
Post Number: 129
Registered: 12-2004
Best of Black Box? N/A
Votes: 0 (A keeper?) | | Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 7:17 am: |
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Oh yeah and thanks, Mr. Dan Oetting, for the advice. I included it in the procedure.
peace 2 u,
-anwar |
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