It is urgent that you send this letter now. The vote by the New York State Board of Elections is Thursday 1/28th at noon. (The link will be live once the meeting begins.) We want them to arrive in the morning to a full inbox, and have letters continue to pour in throughout the morning.

Here's what's happening:

On January 28th, at noon, the New York State Board of Elections will decide whether to certify the ExpressVote XL, a voting machine experts say is bad ⁽¹⁾ and that Common Cause /NY says will “undermine the security of our elections.” ⁽²⁾ The ExpressVote XL is called a "hybrid" or "all-in-one" voting machine.

More than 50 experts, good government groups. and disability rights advocates signed a letter opposing certification of the ExpressVote XL. Seven disability groups signed onto an additional letter opposing certification. ⁽³⁾

1. The ExpressVote XL does not comply with multiple New York state and federal election laws. For this reason, the New York State Commissioners must refuse to certify it.

We want to remind them that it is their responsibility to vote, "No", and that it is critically important that they protect the security and accessibility of New York voting machines.

2. The New York State Board of Elections also plans to certify a software “update” of a high-speed scanner called the DS850. It is important that they vote "No" on the DS850 "update" as well.

It is our understanding that the current DS850 software "update" is not compatible with one of New York’s current ballot-marking devices, the Automark. Of the ballot-marking devices available in New York, the Automark is by far the preferred voting machine of voters with disabilities.

We fear that if the DS850 is certified, as is, ES&S will stop supporting the Automark.

So, in order to protect the rights of voters with disabilities, as well as other voters, we are asking the Board to vote, "No" on the DS850 "update" until it is compatible with the Automark.

Please send a letter right now to New York State Commissioners, then share it with your family, friends, and networks. You can send the pre-loaded letter, or write your own.

Click the red button (on the bottom right) that says "Start Writing" to quickly send a letter.

Anyone can send the letter. New York state has historically been a leader on election security. If New York standards are diminished, other states could be at risk. If high standards are created in New York, other states may follow.

Footnotes

¹⁾ ES&S voting machine company sends threats, 1/11/21, Princeton Computer Science. Professor Andrew Appel

²⁾ The ExpressVote XL Voting Machine: Bad for New York's Elections, Common Cause/ New York, Jan. 2020

³⁾ Letter hosted on SMART Elections website