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Plan what you will say. Keep it brief and to the point. We suggest something like this, but be sure to make it your own and from your heart:
a. It is a good idea to start by expressing appreciation for anything (big or small) you can find in their public record – something you can sincerely thank them for.
b. Let them know that you are very concerned about the fact that there is no way to be sure that an electronic voting machine recorded votes correctly, and there is no way to conduct a meaningful recount of the votes.
c. Point out that voting machine software is a trade secret and you believe that every part of an election procedure should be open to public scrutiny – especially the software that records and tallies votes. Traditionally, ballot counting has been an open process that is observed by election observers from both parties, but no one can observe the electronic recording and tallying.
d. Emphasize that all software has errors and if someone inserted malicious code, it could easily go without detection.
e. Tell them that you believe the bill (H.R.2239 or S.1980) is essential to ensure the integrity in our elections.
f. Take printed materials to leave with the legislator. We recommend our two-page introduction, a summary of the bill, and the responses to questions legislators often ask about the bill. We suggest that you also take this piece describing two recent electronic voting disasters.
We highly recommend that you DO NOT talk about sensational or speculative matters, but confine your discussion to undeniable facts. We believe the legislators will respond more positively to objective information than to fears and conspiracy theories. |