Comments on: Rebooting Democracy with Smart Phones http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/ The Blog Behind the San Mateo County Vote Sun, 16 May 2010 21:26:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Christopher Schmidt http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1260 Christopher Schmidt Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:20:42 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1260 I read on the smcvote Twitter feed, the SoS has opined that a system like that proposed is not consistent with existing law. [no surprise there] http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ccrov/pdf/2010/february/10063cbm.pdf I read on the smcvote Twitter feed, the SoS has opined that a system like that proposed is not consistent with existing law. [no surprise there]

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ccrov/pdf/2010/february/10063cbm.pdf

]]> By: Christopher Schmidt http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1228 Christopher Schmidt Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:03:19 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1228 Let me clarify. I'm not impugning the trustworthiness of the ROV. It's simply the fact that average voters (heck, many computer professionals) can't or won't verify SSL connections, let alone detect the kind of click-jacking an application like this would invite. E.g. a voter could think he was signing one petition, but really be signing another. On the other hand, just about everyone understands paper; its strengths and weaknesses, and more easily catch on when they are being scammed. Cf. Bernie Madoff could trick people into signing away a billion dollars, but no-one could pass a billion dollars in fake currency. Let me clarify. I’m not impugning the trustworthiness of the ROV. It’s simply the fact that average voters (heck, many computer professionals) can’t or won’t verify SSL connections, let alone detect the kind of click-jacking an application like this would invite. E.g. a voter could think he was signing one petition, but really be signing another.

On the other hand, just about everyone understands paper; its strengths and weaknesses, and more easily catch on when they are being scammed.

Cf. Bernie Madoff could trick people into signing away a billion dollars, but no-one could pass a billion dollars in fake currency.

]]> By: Christopher Schmidt http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1227 Christopher Schmidt Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:28:50 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1227 Oh boy. Another electronic "black box" from the "trust me" school of elections. No thanks. Oh boy. Another electronic “black box” from the “trust me” school of elections.

No thanks.

]]> By: brandon http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1221 brandon Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:55:58 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1221 Could anyone explain how this could benefit paid circulators? Could anyone explain how this could benefit paid circulators?

]]> By: arturo http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1220 arturo Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:49:54 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1220 perhaps if finger signing is a bit difficult, maybe future smart phones could recognize iris patterns or thumb print pattern matching. Still early, but I do like the direction the technology is heading. perhaps if finger signing is a bit difficult, maybe future smart phones could recognize iris patterns or thumb print pattern matching. Still early, but I do like the direction the technology is heading.

]]> By: Carol Marks http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1217 Carol Marks Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:19:30 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1217 Your idea for the polling place app is terrific - we've actually been thinking along those lines, too. As to the signing with a finger, I thought that very same thing and voiced it to the co-founders of this product. They explained that the science behind valid signatures and signature verification relies on the strokes a person uses to make their signature. There's a whole body of science behind it. >>> Your idea for the polling place app is terrific – we’ve actually been thinking along those lines, too. As to the signing with a finger, I thought that very same thing and voiced it to the co-founders of this product. They explained that the science behind valid signatures and signature verification relies on the strokes a person uses to make their signature. There’s a whole body of science behind it.

>>>

]]> By: Douglas Bell http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/2010/01/07/rebooting-democracy-with-smart-phones/#comment-1216 Douglas Bell Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:58:06 +0000 http://insideelections.shapethefuture.org/?p=1390#comment-1216 Not bad. Though I don't know how good I am at drawing my signature with my finger... Actually another cool idea for an iPhone app might be one that can tell people where their polling place is and pin it on a map based on their address already in their iPhone. Or maybe poll workers could use it to tell people where to go if they wind up at the wrong precinct. That would be kind of a nifty idea. Not bad. Though I don’t know how good I am at drawing my signature with my finger…

Actually another cool idea for an iPhone app might be one that can tell people where their polling place is and pin it on a map based on their address already in their iPhone. Or maybe poll workers could use it to tell people where to go if they wind up at the wrong precinct. That would be kind of a nifty idea.

]]>