TheDenverChannel.com










Politics
Related To Story

Consultant: Election Software Riddled With Computing 101 Errors

Sequoia Voting Systems Says Denver Used Old Software

POSTED: 11:40 am MST November 30, 2006
UPDATED: 12:48 pm MST November 30, 2006

The company that made those now infamous e-poll books that caused such headaches and massively long lines on Election Day is telling the panel looking into those problems that they were made just the way Denver wanted.

But the two consultants looking into the problem told the mayor's panel to blame the poll books first, which couldn't even handle 100 users at a time.

"It does not meet or even approach professional standards for web development," said Fred Hessler with Fujitsu Consulting. "This is programming 101 kinds of errors."

In just two weeks, the consultants also determined that Denver's Election Commission didn't test or plan enough. On Wednesday, an independent audit concluded those poll books were the biggest source of the headaches.

"There are deeper issues that we believe the city and county should examine," Fujitsu said.

The representative for Sequoia Voting Systems said Denver used old software. He said it was first developed in 1996 and was set to be eliminated two years ago but the Denver Election Commission wanted Sequoia to update it to help register voters as they switched to vote centers.

But a Sequoia spokesman said software developers thought they were creating a different type of program.

"On Denver's side, it was being referred to as an e-poll book. There is a disconnect there. And it may be telling in hindsight," said Howard Cramer, with Sequoia Voting Systems.

"I don't care what you call it. It doesn't really do very well what it was supposed to do," Fujitsu said.

The Sequoia rep also said he didn't realize his company was even doing this work for Denver and said it probably should've been tested further.

"Quite honestly, it was Election Night when I finally discovered, after making a few phone calls, that in fact, we had done that software development that was being referred to as an e-poll book. But no, I had absolutely no involvement in its development."

Prior to Nov. 7, Larimer County offered its proven, election software to Denver for free. The consultants tested it, saying that Larimer County's software could run an election for Chicago, much less Denver. But they found no good reason why Denver said no thanks.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

To get the most out of your remodel, check out these 10 home updates that have the biggest payoffs when it comes time to sell your home. More

The first step in reducing debt is recognizing how much you have. Let us help you with the rest and get out from under your debt in 12 months. More

Do you want the look of a quality paint job without the hassle of having to redo it over and over? Spray on siding could be the answer. More

Sponsored Links

Desktop Alert

Colorado's Geographic Regions
Questions come in all the time about where the different regions of Colorado are. Here, you can learn where to find the foothills versus the plains and the different mountain areas. More