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Rules Committee backs resolution to study open-source voting systems and asks LAFCO to analyze options
Summary
The committee unanimously forwarded a nonbinding resolution supporting San Francisco joining the California Association of Voting Officials and requesting a LAFCO study of options to implement open-source voting systems; presenters cited transparency, cost savings and accessibility improvements, while the Department of Elections warned that current contracts and timelines constrain a full switch before 2016.
Supervisor Scott Wiener introduced a resolution asking San Francisco to join the California Association of Voting Officials (CAVA) and to work with other jurisdictions to study open-source voting systems. Wiener said open-source systems increase public accountability and can reduce long-term costs by allowing counties to use commercial off-the-shelf hardware and publicly owned software.
Public presenters included Alec Basch, who recounted historical problems with proprietary, closed-source voting systems and cited litigation limiting courts’ access to proprietary code; Tim Mayer, a member of the city’s Voting Systems Task Force, who recommended a GPL open-source approach; Brent Turner (CAVA) who listed endorsements and argued open-source increases accessibility and reduces vendor concentration; and Chris Trudonik of the Elections Commission, who supported sending the study request to LAFCO to assess cost, responsible department, timeline and legal frameworks.
Department of Elections Director John Arndt told the committee the current voting system contract expires in December 2016 and that timing will be critical: there is not a ready-to-deploy open-source system for immediate procurement, though components could be incorporated into future RFPs. Public commenter David Carey said open-source tools have helped verify San Francisco election results and could improve public confidence.
After presentations and discussion, the Rules Committee voted with no objection to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation to the full Board. The resolution requests that LAFCO study how San Francisco could implement a publicly owned, open-source voting system and consider pathways such as developing a full system, piloting components, or collaborating regionally.
