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1. Name: Teresa Hommel, J.D.  
2. Title: Computer programming consultant

3. Voting Machines
Position:		 Con to the question "Do electronic voting machines improve the voting process?"
4. Reasoning:

"Electronic voting systems were designed to conceal errors and fraud (without a voter-verifiable paper audit record, there is no way to independently confirm that the computer has worked correctly). Hundreds of documented failures show that they don't work, and are unmanageable for Boards of Elections, poll workers, and voters. Electronic voting systems are defended by sophistry, lies, and focus on wrong issues." (Ms. Hommel in a June 1, 2006 email to ProCon.org. See the full text of her statement.)

"It is simpler, more accurate, and less costly to conduct an election using hand-marked, hand-counted paper ballots than to use a computer system." ("Where's the Paper Trail for Each Ballot Cast?" accessed 2/27/2006)

5. Credibility
Ranking:		  Experts
Election officials, people with post-graduate degrees in a computer science, J.D.'s, Members of Congress, or elected officials with significant involvement in, or related to, electronic voting machine issues

6. Involvement:
  • Over 20 years experience as a computer programmer and programming instructor
  • Wrote voting machine simulation computer program called "Fraudulent Voting Machine"
  • Chairwoman, Task Force on Election Integrity, Community Church of New York
  • Testified about electronic voting systems before several legislative bodies including the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, New York State Task Force on HAVA, Government Operations Committee of the New York City Council, and Government Administration and Elections Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly
7. Education:
  • J.D., New York University
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • 1971 - Elected to Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
9. Contact Info:
Phone: Not listed Fax: Not listed
E-Mail: admin@wheresthepaper.org
Web Site: www.wheresthepaper.org
10. Other: Select publications include:
  • "Where's the Paper Trail for Each Ballot Cast?" available on her website, accessed 2/27/2006
  • "Don't Hand Democracy Over to Computers" UU World, 2004
  • "Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines: Ease of Use vs. Ease of Computer-based Fraud" New York Women's Bar Association, 2003
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