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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMMay 2, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Christopher B. Sheridan, Esquire
Director, Voting Rights and Election Reform
(215) 557-3600, ext. 104
COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY TO LEAD PUBLIC INSPECTION OF PHILADELPHIA’S VOTING MACHINES
PHILADELPHIA – May 2, 2007 – The Committee of Seventy today announced that it would lead a team of volunteers to a pre-election inspection of Philadelphia’s voting machines. The inspection is scheduled for Friday, May 4, 2007, at 10 a.m. and will take place at 4700 Wissahickon Avenue in Philadelphia.
To ensure the integrity of the city’s voting machines, Seventy randomly selects two machines from each of Philadelphia’s 66 wards for testing by members of the public. Volunteers will cast votes on the designated machines in order to confirm that the machines are fully functional and that all votes are accurately recorded. Seventy has also invited volunteers from all mayoral campaigns to attend this inspection.
According to Christopher Sheridan, Esq., Seventy’s Director of Voting Rights and Election Reform, the results of the voting machine inspections have the potential to either reassure or raise additional concerns among Philadelphia voters. Sheridan explains, “This testing process is the last opportunity to make sure everything is in order before the machines are delivered to the 1681 polling places that serve Philadelphia voters.”
Seventy’s voting machine inspection is one part of the organization’s comprehensive Elections Oversight Program. Seventy expects to recruit and train several hundred citizen and lawyer volunteers to monitor polling places, answer voters’ questions, help settle minor disputes, and direct more complicated problems to the proper authorities on May 15th. Seventy also provides a user-friendly polling place locator as part of the Citizen Access Center (www.seventy.org or toll free at 1-866-268-8603). For more information about Seventy’s Election Oversight Program, and available volunteer opportunities, call 215-557-3600 x 104 or visit www.seventy.org.
The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan organization conducting a permanent campaign to improve the Philadelphia region by demanding ethical conduct of public officials, safeguarding elections, promoting government efficiency and educating citizens.
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