A RESOLUTION TO REQUIRE A SAFE, ACCOUNTABLE VOTING SYSTEM IN TEXAS

WHEREAS,

Extensive security reviews in Ohio and Maryland, as well as peer-reviewed independent security tests, have identified significant security problems with the electronic voting systems currently in use in Texas;

and WHEREAS,

Without a printed ballot that voters can use to confirm their vote, there is no effective way to audit the outcome of an election conduced on an electronic voting system and no ability to verify a close race through a recount;

and WHEREAS,

The voting system certification process in Texas has been conducted in secret and reviewers must sign an agreement not to reveal the details of their findings to the public;

and WHEREAS,

The States of Nevada and California have taken the lead in requiring voting systems to include a voter-verifiable paper ballot and an open, public process for certifying voting systems;

and WHEREAS,

The democratic process depends on the faith of the voters that their votes have been accurately recorded and counted, and their faith in a fair recount process in the event of a close election;

and WHEREAS,

That faith has been shaken by problems with the implementation of electronic systems around the country;

THEREFORE be it resolved that

1) The State of Texas shall require electronic voting systems to deploy a voter verifiable paper printout to ensure that our votes are counted and can be accurately recounted; and

2) The state of Texas shall open the certification and selection process for voting systems to public review, testing, and analysis.