Call for Submissions: Election Assessment Hearing, June 29th

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Seth Johnson <seth.johnson () RealMeasures dyndns org>
Date: June 10, 2005 11:53:24 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: kiphumphrey () electionassessment org
Subject: Call for Submissions: Election Assessment Hearing, June 29th



Dear Dave,

Please note the following call for submissions and press release
for the Election Assessment Hearing to be held in Houston, Texas
on June 29th.  We are reviewing evidence representing issues with
election processes being investigated by organizations and
individuals in many States across the country.  We would like to
invite you to offer any analyses, studies or data that you may
have as a submission for this hearing, so we can begin to build a
comprehensive picture of how well election processes are meeting
requirements.  Preliminary results from this survey will be
submitted to the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Electoral
Reform, which is conducting its second and final hearing the next
day, also in Houston.

Documents for the call for submissions and the press release are
attached, as well.  Note that we are requesting submissions by
Thursday, June 16th.  Please feel free to forward these items to
other prospective participants.


Seth Johnson

---

Call for Submissions

Election Assessment Hearing

June 29th, 2005
Houston, Texas
8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Press Conference to follow

Venue to be determined


Please forward this call to other prospective paricipants.

This hearing is the initiation of a broad survey to review data
and hear testimony representing issues with the 2004 Presidential
election processes, along with potential causes and recommended
improvements. We are soliciting submissions of research,
testimony and evidence for consideration from any and all expert
sources with information pertinent to the identification of
problems in the United States election systems and processes.

If you would like to submit your research, testimony and
evidence, and if you would like to be considered for
participation during the Hearing, please provide the following
data.  Please send your submissions by Thursday, June 16, 2005
to: submissions () electionassessment org

Note that you do NOT need to speak at the Hearing to have your
research, analysis, testimony or evidence included in the
documentation and report produced by this Hearing.  You must,
however, return a submission proposal to be considered and
included.


1.  Basic Information:

  Name:
  Organization/Affiliation:
  Title/Function:
  Day Phone:
  Evening Phone:
  Fax:
  E-mail:
  Address:

  Do you wish to be considered for oral testimony or
presentation?

  Submission Description (Up to 150 words including 3 bullet
points of key topics.  You may also attach a longer abstract if
you wish):

  Biographies/Credentials (Up to 120 words.  You may also attach
a resume or CV):


II. Submission Cataloging:

  Please help us catalog your submission by listing the
following.  These lists do not need to be extensive; just list,
using short terms, the most relevant items under each:

     1) Which of the following processes does your submission
make specific comments on as far as problems, causes or
solutions?

         voter registration
         early voting
         absentee voting
         provisional voting
         voter verification
         voting preparation
         vote capture
         vote counting
         chain of custody
         vote recounting
         vote auditing
         other: _____________________

     2) What issues/problems with the electoral process does your
submission address or represent?  As much as possible, use short
terms that convey desirable characteristics of the process not
being fulfilled.

     3) Does your submission address the reasons or causes for
the issues you identify?

     4) Does your submission address solutions or recommended
improvements for the issues you identify?


III. Key Dates:

June 16:  Submissions proposing oral presentations or testimony
due
Mailto: submissions () electionassessment org

June 18:  Presenters selected

June 22:  Data, presentations and documentation due
Mailto: presentations () electionsassessment org

June 29:  The Election Assessment Hearing, at University of
Houston Honors College Auditorium, Houston, TX

June 30:  Issuance of preliminary summary statement to
Carter-Baker Commission.


IV. Guidelines for Preparation of Submissions:

Speak with data.  Present from an objective, dispassionate
perspective rather than an emotional, biased-in-appearance
perspective.

Document facts and findings using scientific methods:  Document
the source of data.  Always best to have the actual source data,
eg. Actual ballots were analyzed as opposed to copies analyzed.

Document procedures used to collect data, measure results or
observe problems in a way that is “reproducible.”  (Can someone
else repeat your findings?).

If copies of documents were made, describe the controls used to
assure completeness of data and controls to prevent loss of data.

If you draw conclusions, document the rationale and any
assumptions made in coming to that conclusion.

For statistical analysis, document the sample size, method of
sampling, confidence level and bounds (“margin of error”).

Has the analysis or work been peer reviewed?

Document any anomalies in the procedures or findings.

For studies with high volume of information, include an executive
summary with key points.

Document the quality control procedures and techniques used to
ensure the integrity of the analysis results and conclusions.


For Questions contact:

Kip Humphrey: kiphumphrey () electionassessment org
Larry English: Larry.English () infoimpact com

---

Press Release:

June 9, 2005

Contacts: Kip Humphrey, 713.956.8792
          Seth Johnson, 212.543.4266

For Immediate Release
Attn:  Political assignments desk

PRESS RELEASE:

ELECTION ASSESSMENT HEARING JUNE 29TH, HOUSTON, TEXAS
Evidentiary Hearing of Electoral Process Failures

WHO:  Technical and professional experts, computer engineers and
experts, statisticians, researchers, attorneys and journalists
who have been investigating and analyzing problems with election
processes in the November 2004 elections will gather from around
the country for a citizen-initiated Election Assessment Hearing
to deliver preliminary testimony of their findings to an
independent panel.

WHAT: The goal of this non-partisan event is to bring to light
critical election data not previously publicized, but necessary
to repair and safeguard our democratic election processes. The
Hearing will address critical issues not being covered by the
Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Electoral Reform, which will
hold its second and final hearing in Houston the following day.
Intended as an initial survey offering a more accurate and
complete picture of issues observed in our electoral processes,
the Election Assessment Hearing seeks to understand the breadth
and diversity of concerns, to identify the current quality of
election processes, to review and analyze the evidence and to
facilitate the sustainable improvement of electoral processes by
election administrators, policymakers, advisors, voters and other
participants in the production of vote counts.

An initial compilation of prepared statements with supporting
documents will be released and distributed the day of the
hearing, and will be delivered to the Carter-Baker Commission the
next day.  In following weeks, a group of information experts,
spearheaded by information quality improvement specialist Larry
P. English, will survey the testimony and supporting documents,
both presented and submitted to the hearing panel, and provide an
objective quality assessment that will be distributed to State
election officials around the country.  Organizers are soliciting
submissions from any and all expert sources with information
relevant to problems in the election and election systems.

WHY: No comprehensive survey and assessment of 2004 election
process failings has yet been presented in a public forum.  The
Election Assessment Hearing will be the first opportunity for the
public to hear preliminary findings in this area.  Currently,
every State is grappling with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
without the benefit of this vital information, and facing
important decisions that may fundamentally affect our election
processes.  The results of the Election Assessment Hearing,
combined with submissions from around the country, will be made
available to state election officials to aid them in making more
effective and informed decisions.

WHERE:  Houston, Texas  (location to be announced at a later
date)

WHEN:  Wednesday, June 29th, 2005, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

SUBMISSIONS: Kip Humphrey at kiphumphrey () electionassessment org

PRESENTERS: To be announced

PANELISTS:  To be announced


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Attachment: EAH Call for Submissions.doc
Description:

Attachment: EAH Press Release.doc
Description:

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