Microsoft Moves To Change NY State Election Law

myspace-cn sends us to Bo Lipari's blog where it is revealed that Microsoft has moved forcefully into New York State with proposed changes to NY state election law drafted by Microsoft attorneys. A document has been circulating (PDF) among the legislators for a while now. The proposed changes would gut the source-code escrow and review provisions in current law that were hard-fought-for and passed in New York in 2005. Microsoft is siding with the makers of voting machines that run on Windows — the company doesn't want its code inspected by outsiders. From the article: "Now the software giant has gone a step further, not just saying 'we won't comply with your law' but actively trying to change state law to serve their corporate interests... Adding insult to injury, these changes are being slipped into a bill that may be voted on Monday or Tuesday, June 18 or 19."

Comments

Re:Wrong

[tomstdenis]

I've been in five [is Ireland first world? hehehe kiddin] 1st world nations and I can say there are areas of the USA that suck ass. There are areas that are ok, and places that are amazing. Depends on where you are. I can also say the same about Canada [where I live], Ireland, the UK and France.

That being said, no nation is immune from shitty politics. Look at the corruption in the Liberal party of Canada for starters [and the Senate]. Look at the handling of Northern Ireland in the UK, look at the work conditions in France, etc. Bad policies and decisions exist everywhere.

Of course I think e-voting is stupid since distributed vote counting by hand is not only easier and cheaper, but involves the public which is a good thing.

Tom