My letter on SB06-062 on Internet voting for overseas military etc

February 4, 2006

Dear Legislators,

We understand that you are considering passage of SB06-062, which would permit our overseas military and some other groups abroad to vote by email. While it might seem that the convenience of such a voting method would make it desirable, it is no secret that email voting is extremely insecure. Thus, in actuality, allowing voting by email would do just the opposite of what is intended. It would do a grave disservice to our military, and others working in service capacities away from home.

Even the cautious Carter-Baker Commission report in September of 2005, in its section on Military and Overseas Voting (4.4), advised against voting by email or fax. In 4.4.4, it states, “Voted ballots should not be returned by email or by fax as this violates the secrecy of the ballot and is vulnerable to fraud.” (See www.American.edu/ia/cfer/.)

Although computer scientists are well aware of how insecure internet voting is, the Department of Defense has nevertheless been developing a program known as SERVE to switch the overseas military to that method. When a study by top computer security experts documented the extreme vulnerability to fraud of voting by email, the DOD decided to forego plans to implement internet voting for the military in 2004, except for a few voluntary state efforts. The Executive Summary of the experts’ report is attached, along with a short article on the DOD’s decision, and a recent article on the dangers of internet voting in relation to elections in Estonia.

We cannot stress too strongly the folly and injustice of passing SB06-062. We urge you to look at the materials included here and reconsider the direction you are headed with this issue.

Thank you so much for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Margit Johansson,

Chair, Legislative Committee,

Coloradoans for Voting Integrity (CFVI)

3938 Wonderland Hill Avenue

Boulder, CO 80304

303-442-1668/ margitjo@xxxxxxx