Happy Mother’s Day to all the fabulous Mums, friends, Aunties, Grandmas, and special women in our lives. You make our lives better, and we’re so grateful for you. Love and hugs from the Patchwork with Gail B team. Happy stitching!
DHS JUST PUT A MASSIVE ELECTION-LAW QUESTION IN FRONT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
In a September 2nd letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, DHS revealed that it has asked DOJ to determine whether voting systems that COUNT VOTES FROM BARCODES AND QR CODES comply with Title III of HAVA.
Why?
Because HAVA has been federal law since 2002, and its requirements are remarkably clear.
Under 52 U.S.C. § 21081, a voting system used in a federal election must:
-Allow the voter to VERIFY the votes selected BEFORE the ballot is cast and counted.
-Allow the voter to CHANGE OR CORRECT an error before the ballot is cast and counted.
-Produce a PERMANENT PAPER RECORD WITH MANUAL AUDIT CAPACITY.
So, the question DHS is effectively putting before DOJ:
HOW DOES A VOTER VERIFY A VOTE THAT IS ENCODED INSIDE A QR CODE OR BARCODE THE VOTER CANNOT READ?
A voter can verify the words printed on a ballot.
A voter cannot independently verify what a machine-readable code actually tells the tabulator to count.
And DHS identified an even more serious concern: some systems can be configured so the programming generating the human-readable text is separate from the programming generating the barcode.
That means the question becomes unavoidable:
IS THE MACHINE COUNTING THE VOTER-VERIFIABLE TEXT — OR AN ENCODED VERSION OF THE VOTE THE VOTER CAN'T VERIFY?
If the barcode or QR code is what determines the count, there is a direct and serious question about compliance with HAVA's voter-verification and manual-audit requirements.
This isn't a new law.
This isn't partisan.
This isn't about an executive order.
HAVA HAS BEEN FEDERAL LAW FOR NEARLY 24 YEARS.
States don't get to ignore federal election requirements because a vendor designed the equipment that way.
State election authorities should be required to answer:
What exactly is being counted?
Can the voter read it?
Can the voter verify it?
And can that same voter-verifiable record be manually audited?
If not, DOJ needs to determine why these systems are being used in federal elections — and who is accountable for allowing it.
WE HAVE FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS.
It is time to expect state election authorities to FOLLOW THEM.
And when they don't - EXPECT ACCOUNTABILITY.
#Unite4Freedom
#ElectionValidity
#HAVA
#DHS
Christmas is just around the corner. This Vintage Santa range is perfect for festive projects: two panels, a stocking, a square Santa panel for a sack, and coordinating fabric. Available in store now, while stocks last.
Need fabric or a stitching fix? Pop into Patchwork with Gail B this morning. We’re open until 1pm today, Saturday 6 June, and closed Monday for the King’s Birthday holiday. Happy stitching!
Now stocking Hugs ‘n Kisses Appliqué Paper, used by Tula Pink for smooth needle-turn appliqué edges. We’ve also restocked the handy EPP Iron Ons. Will you give them a try?
Christmas in July has taken over the shop. Classes are underway, festive projects are flowing, and we’re counting down to our Stitching Weekend. One-day bookings are now available for Saturday or Sunday. Call or message the shop to join us.