27 October 2004. Anthony Stevens, New Hampshire Assistant Secretary of State, presented on the history and prospects of electronic voting machines in New Hampshire, and entertained an informal discussion. A special meeting, open to students and the public, held at Daniel Webster College in Nashua.

Drew Van Zandt (drew.vanzandt@gmail*REMOVE*.com) put some notes here: http://oddones.org/gnhlug/meeting_goodies/10_27_2004/

Press Release

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
     
    CONTACT: 
     Robert (Rob) Lembree
     Chair, Greater NH Linux Users Group
     603-494-0559
     rob@lembree.com
     http://www.gnhlug.org/
     
    "Electronic Voting Systems in New Hampshire," presented by Anthony
    Stevens, New Hampshire Assistant Secretary of State, hosted by the
    Greater New Hampshire Linux Users' Group, at Daniel Webster College's
    Collings Auditorium, Nashua, NH, October 27th at 7:00 PM
    
    
    (Nashua, NH, October 19, 2004) -- Anthony Stevens, New Hampshire
    Assistant Secretary of State, will address "Electronic Voting Systems
    in New Hampshire" in Daniel Webster College's Collings Auditorium
    Wednesday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. The program is free and open to
    the public.
    
    Sponsored by the Greater New Hampshire Linux Users' Group (GNHLUG),
    Mr. Stevens will present prospects for new elections technology in New
    Hampshire. An informal discussion will follow.
    
    "We're very excited to host the assistant Secretary of State for this
    very important topic, within a week of such a closely watched
    election," said Robert Lembree, chair of the Greater NH Linux Users'
    Group.  "As proponents of open source software, GNHLUG members have a
    keen interest in electronic voting systems, which are exclusively
    closed-source and therefore not open to analysis by outside
    professionals. Absent public scrutiny, governments must proceed
    cautiously in adopting any technology, especially any technology which
    can be verified only with 'trust-us' escrow procedures."
    
    "The 'Help America Vote Act' has mandated a new processes and systems
    which the States are now working to implement", said Bill Sconce,
    GNHLUG Program Chair. "GNHLUG is pleased to have this opportunity to
    sponsor a discussion of New Hampshire's progress in these efforts, and
    how they relate to the robust elections process which New Hampshire
    uses. We are privileged to have Mr. Stevens as our guest."
    
    "Our nation was built on being 'open'", said Jon "maddog" Hall,
    Executive Director of Linux International. "Open town meetings and
    electoral accountability are part of what makes our nation great. If
    we are to surrender to computers the counting of our votes, we need to
    be sure that the software which does the job is not only correctly
    written and valid, but that anyone who wishes to inspect it can verify
    for themselves that it is correctly written and valid."
    
    ABOUT GNHLUG - Members of the Greater New Hampshire Linux Users'
    Group are interested in the Linux operating system and other free and
    open source software.  GNHLUG has several chapters in New Hampshire
    with regular meetings that are open to everyone.  Membership is also
    open to everyone, and there are no dues. With over 275 members, GNHLUG
    provides assistance with Linux and free software to individuals,
    businesses, schools, and organizations in New Hampshire and northern
    Massachusetts.  For more information, see http://www.gnhlug.org.
    
    ABOUT LINUX - Linux is a free, open-source operating system that runs
    on everything from hand-held devices, to set-top boxes, personal and
    office computers, servers, mainframes, and supercomputers.  Linux is a
    registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
    
    ABOUT DWC - Daniel Webster College (DWC), founded in 1965, educates
    purposeful men and women for professional entry, advancement, and
    advanced studies in the fields of aviation, computer science,
    management, social science, and engineering. DWC students prepare
    throught residential and continuing studies programs that emphasize
    the integration of theory and practice through interactive teaching
    and learning in the professional and liberal studies. DWC offers the
    Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and information systems
    through its day program. Through its graduate and continuing-studies
    program, DWC offers a Bachelor of Science degree in software
    development, as well as certificate programs in Client-Server
    Application Development; C/UNIX Programming; Computer Security; MS
    Windows Programming; PC Networking; UNIX Systems Administration; Web
    Design; Microsoft .NET; and Webmaster Technology. For more information
    visit www.dwc.edu or call 603-577-6500. 
    - END -