I recently read an excellent opinion on the Open Pen blog, http://www.openpen.org , concerning the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act which Governor Bredesen signed into law in 2008.  The Voter Confidence Act requires we stop voting in Tennessee on nonverifible, unreliable, easily hacked, insecure touch screen computers. These voting machines can not be recounted, nor audited, and leave no evidence of the actual intentions of the actual voter. For those concerned about the fairness and reliability of election results, this act makes sure we have paper ballots, which in the event of extremely close counts, or a contested election, both sides of the controversy can sit down and actually examine and count each individual ballot.

Apparently, that accuracy seems to be a threat to some GOP lawmakers.  Representatives Glen Casada (R) State House 63rd District and Jack Johson (R) State Senate 23rd District are leading efforts to overturn essential elements of the act. Glen Casada - now where have I heard that name before?  HMMMMM!!! Oh yeah, it was Casada's aide Scott Gilmer that set up all those fake web sites and sent out misleading information about Nathan Vaughn, instilling doubt and confusion concerning Vaughn's views and his voting record.  Is there a pattern here?  Do you think those associated with misinformation and trickery are worried about fair elections and counting all the votes?  It surely doesn't sound like it!

HB0295 by Rep. Glen Casada (R-Franklin) and SB0305 by Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin): As introduced, deletes provisions of the “Tennessee Voter Confidence Act” requiring purchase of precinct-based optical scanner voting systems and mandatory hand count audits. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Chapter 1108 of the Public Acts of 2008.

HB0614 by Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville) / SB0872 [pdf] by Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro): As introduced, deletes all provisions requiring the purchase of precinct-based optical scanner voting systems only, including language referring to Help America Vote Act funds; deletes mandatory hand count audits of paper ballots created by such machines; deletes language. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Chapter 1108 of the Public Acts of 2008

Elections should always be fair, open, and verifiable. With the recent proceedings concerning Sullivan County Elections Administrator and the possible violations of the Sunshine Law fresh on our minds, Casada and his cronie's actions do not bode well for fair elections in Tennessee. Is it possible that they have a permanent, uncontestable majority in mind?