Sequoia Machine Blues
Inquirer Calls Sequoia Vote Machines "Expensive Mistake"
“It’s beyond clear that the Sequoia Voting Systems machines in use in most New Jersey counties – and some in Pennsylvania, including Montgomery County – were an expensive mistake at best.”
It’s official: The Philadelphia Inquirer has joined the legions of those opposed to insecure, unauditable unrecountable direct recording electronic vote machines (DREs). And especially the Sequoias now in residence in Montgomery County and across New Jersey. Finally. Read their recent editorial here.
Some Sequoia Vote Machines Down for the Count in NJ Primary
Problem Machines Same Model As in Montgomery County
While New Jersey officials were routinely putting to bed the results of their recent Super Tuesday primary, ballot count discrepancies were discovered between those in the internal memory of some machines and the numbers on the memory cartridges of the same machines. The machines involved are the Sequoia AVC Advantage, direct recording electronic voting systems (DREs) of the same model as those used in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Dan Rather Report on Factory Failures of Sequoia and ES&S Vote Machine Vendors Sounds More Alarms on Industry Practices
In a shocking mid-August report by Dan Rather for HDTV, the veteran newsman disclosed factory failures of Sequoia Voting Systems and Election Systems and Services (ES&S) so severe that they could lead to prosecution on commercial fraud against the two leading vote machine vendors.
Sequoia Software Flunks Security Probe in California – Another Blow to Voter Confidence in Montgomery County Vote Machines
The most comprehensive analysis of security and operating issues of electronic vote machines ever performed was released in late July by the State of California, and the results from a series of reports provided a body blow to an industry already on the defensive. Tests were done on systems of three vendors, Sequoia Voting Systems, Diebold, and Hart Intercivic by researchers at the University of California under a $1.8 million contract with the California Secretary of State’s Office.
Sequoia Vote Machines Hacked!
It finally happened - what the Election Reform Network and countless computer security experts and election integrity advocates have been saying all along: Sequoia electronic vote machines - specifically the Sequoia AVC Advantage - those used in Montgomery County and other places across the country - can be hacked! And according to a computer scientist it doesn't take very much to do it. In fact, it took one of Professor Andrew Appel's grad students about seven seconds to pick the lock in the back of a machine.
NJ Launches Statewide Probe on County Deals With Sequoia
The Montclair (NJ) Times reports that the NJ State Commission of Investigation has requested all financial douments regarding business transacted between Sequoia Voting Systems and Essex County. Read the entire article here: New jersey investigation
The SCI has requested all the county’s paperwork and financial records concerning California-based Sequoia Voting Systems Inc., which manufactures almost all of the election equipment used in New Jersey’s 21 counties.
“We can’t make any comment,” SCI spokesman Lee Seglem told The Times of the probe.
The Record of Hackensack reported that SCI’s letter to the Bergen County Board of Freeholders requests “all bids, contracts, licenses, canceled checks and warranties relating to the purchase of voting machines from Sequoia.” The Record stated that SCI requested paperwork relating to any voting machine vendors that have supplied the county.