For our friends in Texas….

June
9, 2005
Contacts:  Kip Humphrey, 713.956.8792

                 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:
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:  Houston, Texas  (location to be announced at a later date)

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

SUBMISSIONS:
Contact Kip Humphrey at kiphumphrey@electionassessment.org

PRESENTERS:
To be announced

PANELISTS:  To be announced