NFFV Action Request


Upcoming Government, Military,

and Veterans Affairs

Committee Hearing

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

1:30 PM, Room 1525

Support

LB193 - Requirements for Voting Systems Under the Election Act

Examining LB193


LB193 stipulates that all voting systems used in Nebraska be manufactured within the United States and verified as secure by the Department of Defense. Specifically; "No voting system or component or subcomponent of a voting system, including firmware, software, or hardware, assemblies and subassemblies, with integrated circuits or upon which any firmware or software operates, may be used or purchased for use in elections unless all such components have been designed, manufactured, integrated, and assembled in the United States from trusted suppliers, using trusted processes, accredited by the Defense Microelectronics Activity of the United States Department of Defense as described in Department of Defense Instruction 5200.44" This greatly reduces the risk of foreign involvement in our elections."

Why is LB193 Needed?


There are numerous ways to manipulate election outcomes electronically, even with elected officials watching. Simple setup errors can still be made, even if there were such a thing as a "safe" machine. The reality is machines fail. Moreover they do whatever they're designed or programed to do. Thus, we need to ensure entities that design and build our voting systems have the United States' best interest at heart.


The 2020 election also created many troubling instances where e-tampering was possible, even likely. The 2019 article "Georgia likely to plow ahead with buying insecure voting machines" highlights many issues related to electronic voting machines.


LB193 assures that Nebraska's voting system is manufactured and validated by the United States' most trusted and reliable sources.

Things to consider?


Election integrity is the fabric that holds are country together and without it our nation starts to fray. In fact, we're starting to see that with each passing election. Political party doesn't seem to matter. Each side has called foul on election integrity in the past. The only way to patch this tear is to secure, beyond a doubt, each and every election. It's well known that publicly hand counted paper ballots are the most secure way to run an election, see here. As the article says however, there is little desire to move to paper ballots. The Heritage Foundation wrote a 2021 article "The Facts About Election Integrity and the Need for States to Fix Their Election Systems" that highlights the many safe guards states should take to protect their election.


LB193 does not fix everything, but it does take steps in the right direction. Everything about the voting system; components, software, and testing will be 100% US.

How to be heard? 


Take action, your voice is powerful make it heard. LB193 committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, 2023.


How to be heard? Here are three ways:


  • Most EffectiveTestify in person. Going to the Committee hearing and sharing YOUR story with committee member Senators is very impactful. For first time in person testifier here are some helpful hints
  • Very EffectiveSubmit written testimony. If you can't be there in person then submit written testimony. Not sure how to do that, click hereNote; written testimony needs to be submitted by noon the business day before the committee hearing.
  • EffectiveEmail your position letter to the Committee Senators and CC your own Senator. For a listing of the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee Senators click hereNote; emails need to be sent by noon the business day before the committee hearing. It's not likely these emails will be included in official hearing minutes though there is a better chance Committee Senators will see your comments. You can request they be added to meeting minutes in your email to Committee Senators.

Not sure what to say?


Listed below are thought starters. Build your story around one or two of them. Quantity is not as important as a short heart felt personal story.

 

Here are three strong arguments to support this legislation:



  • Our elections need to be safeguarded against foreign adversaries. Having the entire voting system built, operated, and tested in the United States is a major step forward in those safeguards


  • Nebraska voters should not have to worry about safe and fair elections. They should not have to worry if their vote is being counted, and counted accurately.


  • Electronic systems are far too vulnerable to outside interference. Hacking and configuration errors can cause ballot-marking devices to print the wrong votes on the paper record.
NEBRASKANS FOR FOUNDERS' VALUES
Board of Directors Team
www.nffv.org