U.S. Investigates Voting Machines' Venezuela Ties - New York Times

The New York Times published this story over the weekend about the federal government's investigation of Sequoia Voting Systems' corporate ownership with links to the Venezuelan government.

This investigation illustrates why private corporate ownership of voting equipment is problematic. We shouldn't have to wonder if our election results could be influenced by corporate or foreign interests. The paper trail and public audit requirements in electronic systems are essential tools to bring greater transparency to the process, but in electronic voting systems there is so much software involved that the company producing the system maintains a large amount of control and influence over it, with or without the paper trail & audit requirements.

Now playing on YouTube - The Proposition Song Video!

Now you really can sing along to the Proposition Song! This new video on YouTube features the musicians who play on the song, along with lots of other folks and the words at the bottom of the screen. Footage was shot in front of the Capitol, in the Capital Public Radio studio, and at the Axis Art Gallery in Sacramento.

The video was a lot of fun to make, and many people contributed their time and talent to this project, especially Steve Anselmino, a professional videographer who edited the video for us and provided some of the footage. Enjoy, and be sure to sing along!

CVF is hiring!

This new job announcement for a program manager position with the California Voter Foundation was posted this week. If you, or someone you know is in the job market and has the qualifications we're seeking, please refer them to this job announcement.

Introducing the new Proposition Song!

Today the California Voter Foundation debuted the new Proposition Song, a sing-along song designed to introduce voters to the thirteen propositions on California's November 7 ballot. Each proposition is reviewed in the song, which runs just under three minutes and is set to a traditional folk melody. On the Proposition Song page you'll find an mp3 of the song, lyrics and chords, and photos from the recording session on Tuesday. More details about the song are featured in today's CVF news release.

Have fun with it and be sure to sing along!

Election update: news articles, candidates' debate, and more

We recently added a collection of news articles about the Nov. 7 propositions to CVF's California Online Voter Guide. These stories can be really useful to people who are looking for more in-depth information about the propositions, especially the "back story" of why these measures are on the ballot.

Meanwhile, I've been busy preparing a little something else to help folks make sense of all the propositions. A new Proposition Song is in the works and will debut soon, hopefully next week. So stay tuned for that, and also be sure to tune in to or TiVo the one-and-only gubernatorial candidate debate this election season, between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Phil Angelides. It's this Saturday, October 7, from 6-7 p.m. and will be carried by several radio and TV stations, including C-SPAN.