AccuPoll
In 2002, Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). This legislation demanded all states and counties upgrade voting machines. Companies developed ‘paperless’ voting machines with no means to recover lost votes. AccuPoll developed a solution, called the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), allowing voters to verify their vote is accurately recorded and provided an audit capability for manual recounts.
Competitors began a campaign against VVPAT supported by extensive public relations and public affairs campaigns. In January 2004, no states required the use of a VVPAT and some strictly prohibited its use. AccuPoll began a public affairs program for awareness among national, state and county election officials.
Media Activities: We launched in January 2004, via distribution of white papers to targeted editors, stakeholders and industry influencers to educate them on what VVPAT was and how it ensures a reliable vote. We distributed press releases noting acceptance for VVPAT by industry influencers and secured speaking opportunities at events for AccuPoll. Other voting machine manufacturers VVPAT and formed an association to fight the tide.
Legislative Activities: Ohio was closing its $90 million voting system contract. Diebold Elections Systems had the inside track with their ‘paperless’ system. We were in contact with a state Senator that was wary of Diebold. In April 2004, we demonstrated the AccuPoll system in the hallway of the Capitol building while the legislature was discussing the deal. We targeted print and broadcast media to cover the event and set up interviews with the Associated Press, local TV stations and newspapers, showing there was an alternative. As a result, the state legislature voided the deal and passed a law requiring all voting systems have a VVPAT.
Results:Public Opinion Strategies conducted an AccuPoll survey. More than 74% agreed that voting systems must produce a paper record. 60% of respondents said they would back a candidate who supports VVPAT. It is now required for a VVPAT to accompany electronic voting systems.
AccuPoll was featured at NBC’s Democracy Plaza where election coverage originated for all NBC broadcast and print news outlets (MSNBC, NBC etc.). They were featured on news channels nationwide including NBC Evening News. They have been in cover articles in LinuxWorld, received USA Today’s Tech Pick of the Week, and featured in numerous local publications. A public company, AccuPoll saw stock volume shoot up from 6,000 to nearly 2 million. The New York Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, Newsweek and The Los Angeles Times editorialized support of VVPAT.
|
