Probe: NJ voting machines open to tampering, mistakes

A report from Princeton professors says New Jersey's electronic voting machines are insecure and susceptible to hacking. The findings are from an independent investigation conducted over the summer.

News 12 Staff

Oct 18, 2008, 1:19 AM

Updated 5,681 days ago

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Probe: NJ voting machines open to tampering, mistakes
A report from Princeton professors says New Jersey's electronic voting machines are insecure and susceptible to hacking.
The findings are from an independent investigation conducted over the summer. The results of the probe were ordered sealed by a judge, but released this week.
According to the report, "vote-stealing programs" can be installed in only minutes. The report also suggests that the knowledge of how to do so is basic and widespread.
The investigation was conducted as part of a lawsuit filed by Rutgers law professor Penny Venetis against the state. Venetis wants the state to use more secure election machinery.
The company responsible for the voting technology, Sequoia Voting Systems, disputes the report. According to Sequoia, the machines examined in the study didn't have security screws and plastic covers like the ones in place at polling centers.
"Many of the scenarios painted by the plaintiffs depend on the existence of crooked, malicious and corrupt poll workers," the company says in a statement.
The report says vote tampering isn't the only issue with the machines. It also accuses the voting systems of being prone to mistakes.
Six counties have reported irregularities from the Super Tuesday primary.
Election officials are looking into installing printers on the machines that would provide a receipt of every vote cast. Those printers won't be installed until at least next year and after this election.
Critics sound the alarm on N.J. voting machinesIndependent investigation - Princeton University - Center for Information Technology PolicyReport from Sequoia voting machine company


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