Senators demand to know why election vendors still sell voting machines with ‘known’ vulnerabilities’

Four senior senators have called on the largest U.S. voting machine makers to explain why they continue to sell devices with “known vulnerabilities,” ahead of upcoming critical elections. The letter, sent Wednesday, calls on election equipment makers ES&S, Dominion Voting, and Hart InterCivic to explain why they continue to sell decades-old machines, which the senators […]

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Why America is using glitchy electronic voting machines

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It’s been 18 years and several thousand lifetimes since the contested Bush-Gore presidential elections of 2000. Yet “hanging chads” are still haunting us — but not in the way you might think.

Since states began introducing electronic voting machines and other technology in the voting process, digitizing various aspects of voting has been a boon for democracy in many ways. Online voter registration has supercharged get-out-the-vote efforts. ID scanning at check-ins helps reduce lines. And, of course, ballots submitted digitally allow for near instantaneous returns.

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Google’s midterm election Doodle wants you to ‘Go Vote’

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Google wants its users to get out and vote — so much so that the website’s latest Google Doodle is dedicated to the midterm elections.

On Tuesday the search engine changed its iconic logo from “Google” to “Go Vote.” If you click the Doodle, you’re taken to the search results page for, “Where do I vote #ElectionDay.”

Google's "where to I vote" search results

Image: screengrab/google

There, you can easily determine your polling place by entering you address into Google’s 2018 election tool. Underneath the tool are additional resources that can help users check if they’re registered to vote, and get familiar with candidates and issues on the ballot. Read more…

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Some online resources to help voters with disabilities on Election Day

After Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, more states and counties in the United States are returning to paper ballots from electronic voting machines. While this may help cybersecurity, it also makes it harder for many people with disabilities to cast their vote. To counteract that, RespectAbility, a non-partisan non-profit that works on inclusivity […]

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The ‘Me voting in 2016 vs. Me voting in 2018’ meme captures our collective exhaustion

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A lot can change in two years — just look at the meme taking over Twitter feeds in the day before the midterm elections.

The meme encourages people to think back to the day of the 2016 presidential election — a time when millions of Americans happily went to the polls to cast their ballots. A time when people did not constantly exist in a fiery rage of terror.

To participate, simply type the phrase, “Me voting in 2016 vs me voting in 2018,” and choose two drastically different images — one that represents you voting two years ago, and one that represents you voting in Tuesday’s midterms. (Hint: The more dramatic the transformation, the better.) Read more…

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Everything you need to know to vote in the midterm elections

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This is You Won’t Regret It, a new weekly column featuring recommendations, tips, and unsolicited advice from the Mashable culture team.


Doing anything special on Tuesday, November 6, 2018? If you live in the United States and are registered to vote, you absolutely should have plans. Why? Because it’s Election Day.

In case you haven’t been watching the news, following the dozens of campaigns across the nation, listening to celebrities and activists call for action, or keeping up with politics these last few months — this election’s a big deal. A huge deal, in fact. And if you’re able to cast a ballot in the midterms and haven’t voted early or absentee, Tuesday is your last day to step up. Read more…

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2018 Midterms: 4 resources every voter should know about

Voting in the U.S. can be confusing. By design, every state is different. On top of that, disinformation meant to discourage voting is rampant this election. Cut through the noise, arm yourself with the facts and vote. We’ve got resources to help you. 1. Fill out a sample ballot for your state If you’re not […]

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How people with disabilities are kept from voting — and what you can do about it

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Americans are busy getting ready to go to the polls on November 6. But as you read up on the candidates and ballot measures and plan your voting day, know that there are millions who may not even get the opportunity to cast a ballot in the upcoming midterm elections — or the elections that will follow — because they have a disability. 

Research shows that people with disabilities face numerous barriers to voting. For instance, they report finding it difficult to vote at a polling place at much higher rates than voters without disabilities. One research paper found that 30 percent of voters with disabilities polled in a nationally representative survey said it was difficult to vote at a polling place in 2012. Only 8 percent of voters without disabilities said the same.  Read more…

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These videos will get you fired up to vote in the midterms

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Voting PSAs are meant to make you laugh, get you excited about democracy, and above all, motivate you to cast a ballot on Election Day — a day that will influence the next 10 years of our lives. 

In an effort to combat historic patterns of underwhelming voter turnout during midterm elections, brands and advocacy organizations have released video campaigns designed to get out the vote. They’ve enlisted your favorite actors, like Black Panther‘s Chadwick Boseman and Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu, as well as President Barack Obama, to share one clear message: You need to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.  Read more…

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