Full article at http://somd.com/news/headlines/2010/12742.shtml

Share on Facebook

I have heard a few times how votes are not tallied by the machines correctly. It’s your vote,  please, take a few extra seconds to make sure it’s recorded correctly.

Thanks,

Todd

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I urge EVERYONE who is a:  voter, election judge, poll watcher, candidate, political activist to do the following:

TELL EVERYONE WHO USES THE TOUCH SCREEN VOTING MACHINES TO GO TO THE

“CHECK VOTE/CHECK BALLOT” SCREEN BEFORE THEY HIT THE “CAST VOTE/VOTE” BUTTON!

I have never made it a secret that I DON’T TRUST THE TOUCH SCREEN VOTING MACHINES!  Unlike the Optical Scanners, there is no independent voter verifiable audit trail that can be checked should the need arise when using the touch screen machines.

Using the Democrat-controlled Maryland State Board of Elections chosen voting equipment (i.e., the touch screen voting machines or the Direct Recording Electronic Devices – DRE) there is absolutely no way to verify that the machine is actually recording your vote AS YOU CAST IT.

I have never been alone in my skepticism about these “easy to use” computer voting machines.  Computer scientists throughout the country have been skeptical.  An in-depth study of the touch screen voting machines was done by the Information Technology Department of Princeton University.  Should you be interested, you can view the Princeton University study on the Diebold Accu-Vote Touch Screen Machines, used in Maryland at http://itpolicy.princeton.edu/voting/ts-paper.pdf.

Following is a small excerpt from the Princeton University report:  “Analysis of the machine, in light of real election procedures, shows that it is vulnerable to extremely serious attacks.  For example, an attacker who gets physical access to a machine or its removable memory card for as little as one minute could install malicious code; malicious code on a machine could steal votes undetectably modifying all records, logs and counters to be consistent with the fraudulent vote count which it creates.  An attacker could also create malicious code that spreads automatically and silently from machine to machine during normal election activities — a voting machine virus.”

“Computer scientists have generally been skeptical of voting systems of this type, Direct Recording Electronic (DRE), which are essentially general-purpose computers running specialized election software.  Experience with computer systems of all kinds shows that it is exceedingly difficult to ensure the reliability and security of complex software or to detect and diagnose problems when they do occur. Yet DREs rely fundamentally on the correct and secure operation of complex software programs. Simply put, many computer scientists doubt that paperless DREs can be made reliable and secure, and they expect that any failures of such systems would likely go undetected.”

Although checking your vote/reviewing your vote BEFORE you hit the “VOTE/CAST VOTE” button still does not insure that the machine is actually recording your vote as you cast it, it is the best we can do until we actually replace the touch screen voting machines with the Optical Scanners.

FYI, the Maryland General Assembly earlier voted to replace the touch screen machines with the Optical Scanners for the 2010 elections.  Governor Martin O’Malley just couldn’t find the $10 million to replace them.  (I believe we can all agree that if you are an embezzler it makes it so much easier to go undetected if you are able to “cook the books” so your “take from the till” goes undetected.  Those who have made an art form of stealing elections are no different.)  Are you surprised that the touch screen machines were not replaced in time to have the Optical Scanners in use for the 2010 elections?  I’m not.  ONLY the Optical Scanners provide an INDEPENDENT VOTER VERIFIABLE AUDIT TRAIL.  An audit trail that makes it nearly impossible to steal an election — without being caught.

Share on Facebook

I am writing this letter as a concerned citizen of our wonderful county, it is unprompted and unsolicited by any political affiliation or by Mr. Todd Morgan himself.

I have known Todd Morgan for a great number of years, both professionally while employed by EMA now SAIC and personally through his work within the Boy Scouts of America.

During the many years of knowing Todd professionally, he has always conducted himself in a very professional manner, always looking out and caring for the many employees he has been placed in charge of.  Todd, unlike many other businesspersons I have had dealings with, has always maintained a fiscal conservatism while being profitable.  Although being shrouded with huge responsibilities of people and building a business, he has always been an upstanding, fair, and considerate businessman.  A consummate leader and pillar of the business Community.

During his free time, Todd is first and foremost a dedicated family man.  Secondarily to his family, Todd has supported, mentored and led many young men within Boy Scout Troop 413.  During this time, I have had the opportunity to witness first hand how he leads and deals with teenagers working their way through the ranks of Scouting.  The required amount of personal dedication and time is enormous, but the results of this dedication have taken our young men on a journey teaching them life skills that you just don’t get outside of this organization.  He and I have taken the young men throughout the country on Scouting events which include; PA, NY, NJ, VA, NC, SC, GA and FL.  These experiences have taught them lessons in leadership that they will use for the rest of their lives.

As a testament to his hard work and dedication to the youth of our community, we have had the honor and privilege to proudly awarding Scouting’s highest award, Eagle Scout, to five of our young men this year.

It is my honest opinion; Todd truly understands the working relationships and partnerships within our community.  He also is truly understanding of the youth within our community, and what it takes to work with them to help make them well rounded citizens and individuals that will certainly benefit our Community, State and Nation now and in the future.  Likewise, Todd will undoubtedly make an excellent County Commissioner leading and working with our communities, townships and citizens.  I ask you to really consider who you vote for during this upcoming election, it is an important decision for you to make and I humbly ask you to vote for Todd, as I will, next Tuesday.

Curtis D. Stansfield

Lexington Park, MD.

Share on Facebook

TheBayNet.com Online News

http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/18738

http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/19141

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/07/AR2010090705336.html

SoMDNews Online

http://www.somdnews.com/stories/09242010/rectop134058_32380.shtml

Share on Facebook

Todd has demonstrated leadership throughout his career in helping people.  He constantly initiates and aggressively supports programs such as collecting school supplies, Christmas donations, supplies for the homeless, environmental causes, and the like.  As a commissioner he will thoughtfully balance fiscal restraint with investing in people.

Todd has an outstanding understanding of the national economy, financial markets, defense industry, and the St. Mary’s County business environment.  As a commissioner he will ensure our county adapts quickly and effectively to its external economic environment.

Todd has the ability to big-time multitask in a dynamic complex environment.  As our county has grown into one of the best communities in the nation, the demands on our county government have become extraordinarily complex.  We need commissioners with the capacity to simultaneously keep up with many complicated issues without missing a beat.

Most importantly Todd has the moral character to represent St Mary’s County citizens in a way that we can be proud of.  We urge your strong consideration of Todd Morgan as county commissioner.

Rex Eagan

John McAllister

Share on Facebook

Respectfully,

Todd B. Morgan

President, Southern Maryland Navy Alliance

Share on Facebook

I have known Todd Morgan and his family for a long time and have always been impressed with his character, communication skills, and capabilities. He has always expressed a keen interest in St. Mary’s County politics. I have witnessed his contribution to our community through his volunteering and community service. I know will work to keep our economy in line without forcing us to have large tax hikes. On Election Day this year, I ask all of you to follow me and support Todd Morgan to be one of our St. Mary’s County Commissioners.

Respectfully,

Rodney Thompson

Share on Facebook

In St. Mary’s County we need an honest, experienced person well versed in business, fiscal conservatism, jobs and economic growth as well as education issues.  Todd Morgan is that person.  Todd has willingly supported our community for the past 30 years in each of these areas. We have known Todd for many years and worked with him as he served as a member of the St. Mary’s County Republican Central Committee in the 1990’s.  It was always obvious to us that he has strong core Republican beliefs and background. Also, he works extremely well with “others” to move this community forward.  In recognition of his service to the community, he was chosen St. Mary’s County Republican Man of the Year in 1999. Todd has served this community well through his business and volunteer activities.  He helped grow a local small business, Eagan, McAllister Associates Inc., into a nationally recognized and highly respected firm.

Do yourself and our community a favor, please join us in voting for Todd Morgan for St. Mary’s County Commissioner.

Respectfully,

Don and Angela Brown, Lexington Park

Share on Facebook

Of note this school material collection and donation effort was accomplished without federal, state or local government funds. When Todd Morgan is one of County Commissioners, he will not only be a stalwart fiscally conservative leader of our county operations promoting jobs, education and safety in our community, Todd will also be motivator and mentor to the citizens of our county.

I strongly urge you to vote this year and VOTE FOR TODD MORGAN to be one of our County Commissioners for the next four years.

Respectfully,

Tracey Uglow

Share on Facebook

Todd Morgan, candidate for County Commissioner, is what people call a “self-starter”.  He is a person that sees a problem and starts working toward its solution.  His education is in finance and business administration.  He has a strong executive business record as a navy contractor for over 30 years. Also, Todd has an extensive community service history.

When I interviewed Todd about his goal to be a county commissioner, it was clear this would be a natural step in his many county activities.  He has been a college instructor for many years, a scoutmaster and he serves on the St. Mary’s City Foundation.  He is often picked to serve on county task force groups such as the Elected Board of Education Task Force. When talking with Todd, it is clear he works hard for St. Mary’s County to be the best place possible to raise his family and your family.

I was pleased in my talks with Todd to learn the extensive preparation he was doing to understand more about the operations of county government.  As I attend Todd’s political functions, I see that his support comes from all segments of our county.

St. Mary’s County has more tough financial times ahead and I believe we need Todd Morgan as one of our five of commissioners to lead us back into good years.   County Government should operate as a business that serves the citizens of St. Mary’s.  I look for candidates that have actively served our community in many ways and for many years.  I believe that Todd Morgan is such a commissioner candidate.

Shelby P. Guazzo,

Chaptico MD

Share on Facebook