[attrition] review: Book: Brave New Ballot

[lyger]

http://attrition.org/~lyger/works/reviews/bnb.html

Brave New Ballot
The Battle to Safeguard Democracy in the Age of Electronic Voting
Aviel D. Rubin - Amazon.com
ISBN: 0-7679-2210-7
Morgan Road Books, Copyright 2006

"Brave New Ballot" by Aviel Rubin is quite a surprising read and was 
honestly enjoyable. For someone who isn't "tuned-in" to most political 
matters, including the topic of electronic voting, I found this book to be 
informative and interesting on a few levels. Even though at times Rubin 
appears to show disdain for those in the political arena who have no 
"computer security experience", which may be up to 99% of the United 
States population (my estimate, not his), his concern for honesty within 
the democratic voting process is quite clear.

The book starts off with how Rubin became involved with the concerns about 
electronic voting. From there, he provides accounts of legal, 
professional, and personal opposition to his findings and opinions 
regarding security issues with not just the machines themselves, but the 
process as a whole. One particular example involves Kim Zetter from Wired 
News, who Rubin openly admits was right in her assessment of his failure 
to disclose his past business association with VoteHere (a company assumed 
to be a Diebold competitor). Rubin admits his mistakes, which is quite a 
refreshing departure from the "CYA" mentality often shown by those who do 
make mistakes but fail to admit them.

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