Press/Journalists

National Archives Hosts Forum on Technology, Elections, and Electronic Voting
Press Release · Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Washington, DC. . . On Friday, October 17, at 7 p.m., the National Archives will host the fourth annual William G. McGowan Forum on Communications, Technology, and Government.  The program will take place in the William G. McGowan Theater of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, NW. 

Ensuring that voting systems accurately record and report voter intent has become a matter of great public concern since the 2000 confusion in Florida. Much of the public debate has centered on the security of electronic voting systems. Are these concerns valid? What are the advantages and disadvantages of electronic voting systems? What can the U.S. learn from experiences with new technologies around the globe?

Following welcoming remarks by Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein, Thomas Mann, Brookings Senior Fellow, will moderate a panel including Tom Wilkey, executive director, Election Assistance Commission; Roy Saltman, author, The History and Politics of Voting Technology; Patrick Merloe, director, Electoral Programs, Democratic Institute for International Affairs; Paul DeGregorio, former commissioner, Election Assistance Commission; and David Beirne, director, Election Technology Council.

"Transparency and assuredness are crucial to the American Electoral process," said Diana Spencer, Executive Director of the William G. McGowan Fund, Inc. "As the Nation approaches the election of the 44th President of the United States, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is delighted to partner with the National Archives in bringing this relevant and substantive dialogue to the public."

The National Archives is fully accessible. To request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) please email public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000.

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For press information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at:
202-357-5300.

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