At this meeting, members will be deciding on two members of the Board of Directors, we can also talk about the status of our various efforts and how members and non-members can help make them fly.

Just-released open-source software that implements VoteFair ranking is now available to help us reach higher levels of voting fairness. You do voting when you click on Google search results, and you use voting results when you view the star rating of an Amazon product. Now learn how voting really works, how it is usually miscalculated -- intentionally in the case of elections -- and how it can be done to fully extract the wisdom in a group. Learn the math behind the puppet strings that connect politicians to the biggest campaign contributors. (Partial spoiler: The biggest unfairness is hidden in primary elections.) Also learn the math that eventually will cut those puppet strings. Along the way you will learn that there are different kinds of popularity.

Presenter: Richard Fobes, author of The Creative Problem Solver's Toolbox and Ending The Hidden Unfairness In U.S. Elections, developer of the Dashrep programming language and the software negotiation tool at www.NegotiationTool.com.

This event is a meeting of the Westside Proggers, a group of language-agnostic programmers who like to talk about pioneering new frontiers in software.

Please RSVP (and reserve slices of free pizza) at the Westside Proggers forum on Google.

speaker: Richard Fobes

The new CPAN module named Voting::VoteFairRanking yields higher levels of voting fairness. You do voting when you click on Google results, and you use voting results when you view the star rating of an Amazon product.

Now learn how voting really works, how it is usually miscalculated – intentionally in the case of elections – and how it can be done to fully extract the wisdom in a group. Learn the math behind the puppet strings that connect politicians (of both parties) to the biggest campaign contributors. (Partial spoiler: The biggest unfairness is hidden in primary elections.) Also learn the math that eventually will cut those puppet strings. Along the way you will learn that there are different kinds of popularity.

As usual, the meeting will be followed by social hour at the Lucky Lab.

It's been a long time in the making, and we are excited to finally unveil Hack Oregon's most ambitious project.

Our volunteers have turned a bunch of numbers, figures and transaction records from campaigns in Oregon into a complete browsable visual library that tells the real story behind this election year. Come experience the data for yourself and celebrate with the amazing people that helped make this project a reality.

See you Thursday!

Everyone is welcome, including your kids.

Please RSVP on eventbrite

As Oregonians know, our state has a mail-in voting system, where all ballots are cast either by mail or by dropping them into collection boxes available throughout the area. But, what happens to your ballot after election workers pick it up, and how do you know that your vote will actually be counted?

Sheila Golden has researched the use of optical scanners in scanning our ballots and will report her findings as to the accuracy of the scanners and the results of the vote tally systems. She'll also update us on the current status of legislative efforts to ensure valid election results in the state of Oregon.

Join us for a great presentation and discussion! We'll have snacks, and there will be an opportunity for networking afterwards. We hope to see you there!

Schedule: 6:00 PM: Doors 6:10 PM: Introductions and news 6:15 PM: Presentation 7:15 PM: Q&A 7:30 PM: Wrap up and networking

Speaker bio:

Sheila Golden is an activist focusing on election integrity, civil liberties/immigrant rights, and climate justice. She works with the ACLU, 350PDX, and currently, Sen. Lew Frederick.

By attending this TA3M meeting, you agree to follow our Code of Conduct: https://www.meetup.com/Portlands-Techno-Activism-3rd-Mondays/pages/22681732/Code_of_Conduct/

{short} Code of Conduct Portland's Techno-Activism 3rd Mondays is dedicated to providing an informative and positive experience for everyone who participates in or supports our community, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age, religion, socioeconomic status, caste, or creed.

Our events are intended to educate and share information related to technology and activism, and anyone who is there for this purpose is welcome. Because we value the safety and security of our members and strive to have an inclusive community, we do not tolerate harassment of members or event participants in any form.

Audio and video recording are not permitted at meetings without prior approval.

Our Code of Conduct (https://www.meetup.com/Portlands-Techno-Activism-3rd-Mondays/pages/22681732/Code_of_Conduct/) applies to all events run by Portland's TA3M. Please report any incidents to the event organizer.