U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Zeese today called for the resignation of Linda Lamone and joined the governor in calling for a special session and a return to a paper-based voting system.

Zeese urged a move to a paper-based voting system. “Maryland should definitely move back to a paper based registration system.  It is evident that the e-poll books have too many problems to be trusted on Election Day,” said Zeese. “An emergency special session is needed to face-up to these problems and avoid a catastrophic Election Day.”

As to the electronic voting machines, Zeese said a paper-based system was still possible. “Frankly, we could have had result more quickly if we had paper ballots on Primary Day.  Each precinct can do a hand count of their ballots for preliminary results that would be available within hours.  Then, at the county level precinct-based optical scans could be used to verify the hand count. If there is no significant difference then the result will be final.  If there is a discrepancy there can be a hand count of all the ballots.”

“Returning to a paper-based system will restore the confidence of the voters and ensure that all parties will accept the result of the vote count.  Too many security and performance problems have been discovered with the computer-based system for it to be trusted,” said Zeese.

Zeese catalogued the long history of problems with Maryland’s e-voting system in an open letter to the media in February of 2006.  He documented consistent machine breakdowns, the use of uncertified software and widespread security problems.  See:  http://kevinzeese.com/content/view/108/45/.

Linda Lamone needs to take responsibility for the major problems on Primary Day.  She is the one who insisted on e-poll books despite opposition from the governor, some in the legislature and citizen democracy activists. In a presentation last year, Lamone described to the Virginia legislature how Maryland had a centralized election administration system and she was in charge of the elections.  She said "I am the boss.  The buck stops with me.  I'm the one that gets in trouble when anything happens."  See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=murESYdoQjU.

Regarding Lamone, Zeese said: “Now it is time for Lamone to take responsibility, rather trying to blame others. She is pointing her finger at election judges, the legislature – anyone but herself.  She should resign as her performance has been outrageous.”  Zeese pointed out that in the last two years the Democratic-dominated legislature has given her even more power and has made it almost impossible to fire her.