June 9, 2005 -- updated June 20, 2005

Contacts: Kip Humphrey, 713.956.8792 (email: kiphumphrey@electionassessent.org)
          Seth Johnson, 212.543.4266

For Immediate Release
Attn:  Political assignments desk

PRESS RELEASE:

ELECTION ASSESSMENT HEARING JUNE 29TH, HOUSTON, TEXAS Evidentiary Hearing of Electoral Process Failures

WHO:  A coalition of election stakeholder organizations composed of technical and professional experts, computer engineers and experts, statisticians, researchers, attorneys and journalists who have been investigating and analyzing problems with election processes in the November 2004 elections will gather from around the country for a citizen-initiated Election Assessment Hearing to deliver preliminary testimony of their findings to an independent panel.

WHAT: The goal of this non-partisan event is to bring to light critical election data not previously publicized, but necessary to repair and safeguard our democratic election processes. The Hearing will address critical issues not being covered by the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Electoral Reform, which will hold its second and final hearing in Houston the following day. Intended as an initial survey offering a more accurate and complete picture of issues observed in our electoral processes, the Election Assessment Hearing seeks to understand the breadth and diversity of concerns, to identify the current quality of election processes, to review and analyze the evidence and to facilitate the sustainable improvement of electoral processes by election administrators, policymakers, advisors, voters and other participants in the production of vote counts.

An initial compilation of prepared statements with supporting documents will be released and distributed the day of the hearing, and will be delivered to the Carter-Baker Commission the next day.  In following weeks, a group of information experts, spearheaded by information quality improvement specialist Larry P. English, will survey the testimony and supporting documents, both presented and submitted to the hearing panel, and provide an objective quality assessment that will be distributed to State election officials around the country.  Organizers are soliciting submissions from any and all expert sources with information relevant to problems in the election and election systems.

WHY: No comprehensive survey and assessment of 2004 election process failings has yet been presented in a public forum.  The Election Assessment Hearing will be the first opportunity for the public to hear preliminary findings in this area.  Currently, every State is grappling with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) without the benefit of this vital information, and facing important decisions that may fundamentally affect our election processes.  The results of the Election Assessment Hearing, combined with submissions from around the country, will be made available to state election officials to aid them in making more effective and informed decisions.

WHERE: The Garden Center at Hermann Park
1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004

WHEN:  Wednesday, June 29th, 2005, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

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