University-Built Election System Raises Bar and Released Open Source

Punchscan, one of the most secure and transparent voting systems so far proposed, is being released today as a complete, open-source system for free use in school elections. The combination of power, readiness for use and openness is without precedent. Funding is available to support adoption by schools and further development for wider use is planned.

Development has so far been limited to a closed team, although a test election was run over the summer at several locations. Now, the project is being thrown open to anyone who wishes to contribute. The current version 1.0 will be maintained and further enhanced for school elections. Additionally, it is envisioned that version 2.0 will be designed and implemented to include the scalability and range of features required by general elections run by large counties.

"We're excited" said the system's originator, David Chaum, "to start deploying and developing to scale, such breakthrough systems -- our best chance to turn declining voter confidence around."

The software was developed by a team of graduate students: Rick Carback, Jeremy Clark, Aleks Essex, Ben Hosp, Stefan Popoveniuc and Jeremy Robin. (Rick is from University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Jeremy C. and Aleks are from University of Ottawa; Ben and Stefan are from George Washington University and Jeremy R. graduated, during the project, from Stanford University.)

The software is being distributed under a BSD license that limits use to this type of voting system and requires that improvements be contributed back. A no-cost, perpetual patent license is being provided for school elections. Limited funding is available and further donations are being solicited, to support ballot production costs and the loaning of equipment for school elections.

See http://www.punchscan.org for more information. PRESS CONFERENCE -- and informal demonstration sessions and University Voting Competition http://www.vocomp.org:

Nov. 2, noon to 3 p.m., National Press Club, Washington DC, 13th floor, The Holeman Lounge.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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