"Campaign for Verifiable Voting in Maryland"
www.TrueVoteMD.org · 7711 Garland Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 ·
301-270-6150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information:
March 1, 2004 Linda Schade 301-270-6150 or cell 703-981-3619
Montgomery County, MD: Tonight TrueVoteMD's effort to ensure the integrity of the vote in Maryland was blocked by conference committee members of the House of Delegates. Linda Schade, co-founder of TrueVoteMD, vowed "to continue to work for a voting system that ensures the accuracy of the vote count."
A bill requiring a voter verified paper ballot audit trail, along with random audits on election day, passed the Maryland Senate by a unanimous vote of 45 to 0. In the House, Delegate Sheila Hixson, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, turned a bill with the same requirements into a task force to study well beyond the imperative November 2004 eleciton. TrueVote activists and knowledgeable legislators acknowledged taht the task fore was dsigned to 'kill the bills" and 'failed to include any of the dozens of legislative sponsors of the paper trail bill.'
Thousands of citizens from across Maryland's 23 counties expressed their strong support for a voter verified paper record for independent audits and meaningful recounts to their legislators. The pressure was so intense that House Delegates even attempted to mislead their constituents. For example, Sheila Hixson refused to take a public position on the bill even though her task force amendments made her postion clear. Another example was first-term Delegate Nancy King of Montgomery County who told several TrueVoteMD activists from her District that she supported a voter verified paper trail when in fact she opposed it and instead wanted the bill sent to a task force where it would be killed.
"The Delegates are right to be concerned," said Schade. "By refusing to protect the integrity of the vote, especially for the 2004 election, they have betrayed the interests of their constituents and all Maryland voters. Citizens in the TrueVote network are outraged and vow to hold legislators accountable for their actions."
TrueVoteMD does not see this as the final chapter in their effort. The organization is planning a variety of strategies to ensure that the vote is counted accurately in the November 2004 election. The organization is examining litigation options, election monitoring, voter education and running candidates against recalcitrant legislators. "Whatever it takes," said Schade.