Dear Governor O’Malley:

At this very moment, the Senate and the House of Delegates are reviewing two voter-verified paper audit trail bills. Both Sen. Ed Kasemeyer’s bill, SB392, and Del. Sheila Hixson’s HB18, when read together, would require our voting system to maintain an independent method to mark our ballot from the machines designated to tabulate our vote; treat the paper ballot as the official record for a mandatory audit and for any recounts; and ensure that disabled voters continue to vote secretly, independently and with the ability to verify their vote through audio or other means.

Senate President Mike Miller and House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch have made public statements that they intend to work together to make this a reality. Voters want this legislation now, because it will guarantee that we use a secure voting system for the 2008 Presidential Primary. Everybody wants it and our legislators are posed to make it happen.

There is only one outstanding question: will you fund this bill for implementation before the all-too-important 2008 Presidential Primary?

Please take a leadership position on this and make a public statement that you intend to fully fund this much-needed solution to our paperless voting machine problems. Give our legislators the freedom to act to pass this legislation, and tell the nation that you are a leader on the issue.

I want to know that my vote will be accurately recorded, counted and reported when I place my vote in the 2008 Presidential Primary. Don’t you?

Sincerely,