Recently I received an inquiry from the California Secretary of State’s office for research regarding open source software in voting systems. I’ve been hearing rumors for months that there is some sort of task force or study committee that has been in the works, though no formal announcement that I know of has been made about a study on the open source software issue.

The inquiry I received stated:

California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson is leading a fact-finding, impartial study regarding the use of open source software in voting systems in California. Secretary McPherson is responding to Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) No. 242, filed with the Secretary of State on August 31, 2004. ACR 242 asks the Secretary of State to investigate and evaluate the use of open source software in all voting systems in California. It also requests that the Secretary of State report his findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 2006. I have enclosed a copy of ACR 242 for your review.

In order to provide thorough research on the issue of open source software in voting systems, Secretary McPherson is asking for public input, including but not limited to reports, studies, summaries and other written documentation relating to open source software in voting systems. He is seeking a broad range of opinion and information because he recognizes that open source software is a complex and technical issue and it deserves a careful, balanced and in-depth study over time.

Secretary McPherson is convening a group of experts, representing a variety of viewpoints and expertise that will have regular meetings and hold public hearings if necessary. One of Secretary McPherson’s top priorities is to ensure the security and integrity of the elections process and this group, along with public input, allows for a careful and thoughtful examination rather than a hasty superficial review.

And for those of you interested, here is information on AC 242:

BILL NUMBER: ACR 242 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT

RESOLUTION CHAPTER 171
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 31, 2004
ADOPTED IN SENATE AUGUST 24, 2004
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY JULY 1, 2004
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JULY 1, 2004
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 28, 2004
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 23, 2004

INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Goldberg
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Berg, Calderon, Chan, Chavez, Chu,
Cohn, Corbett, Correa, Diaz, Dutra, Dymally, Firebaugh, Hancock,
Jackson, Kehoe, Koretz, Laird, Leno, Levine, Lieber, Longville,
Lowenthal, Mullin, Nation, Negrete McLeod, Nunez, Oropeza, Pavley,
Reyes, Salinas, Steinberg, Vargas, Wesson, Wiggins, Wolk, and Yee)

JUNE 3, 2004

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 242–Relative to ballot tally
software.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 242, Goldberg. Ballot tally software.
This measure would request the Secretary of State to investigate
and evaluate the use of open-source software in all voting machines
in California and report his or her findings and recommendations to
the Legislature by January 1, 2006. The measure would state that the
Legislature is committed to exploring and reviewing all available
programs and features, including open-source software, that may
enhance the security of election results and increase voter
confidence in the integrity of the voting process.

WHEREAS, The State of California has a compelling interest to
ensure public confidence that election results are complete, honest,
and accurate; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby requests the
Secretary of State to investigate and evaluate the use of open-source
software in all voting machines in California and report his or her
findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 2006;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature is committed to exploring and
reviewing all available programs and features, including open-source
software, that may enhance the security of election results and
increase voter confidence in the integrity of the voting process; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Hopefully this study will produce some productive recommendations on the open source issue. Unfortunately, given the very short time frame given here in ACA 242 (January 1, 2006), there is not much time for a detailed study nor for much public input on this issue.