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.

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.

Earlier this year, the Oregon State Legislature was considering adoption of bill HB 4136, which would have required the Secretary of State to establish a digital voting system allowing voters to cast their ballots electronically—via a computer, electronic tablet, cellphone, or another digital device.

The measure remained in committee and never came to a vote, but legislators may be planning to introduce a new version of the bill in next year's longer session.

Should you be happy or concerned about the prospect of cellphone voting?

Currently, over twenty pilot programs are in place across the country to test the feasibility of mobile voting. Proponents argue that cellphone voting could increase voter turnout, and voting from the comfort of your mobile phone sounds easy, right? But is it really a good idea?

Before giving this technology a stamp of approval, we need to consider some of the issues around the process of electronic voting. For example, is it secure? Does it protect voter privacy? And how would we verify election results?

Dr. Stephanie Singer and Sheila Golden have been focused on election systems for many years. Ms. Golden is well known in Oregon for her advocacy around election technology, while Dr. Singer is known nationwide for her expertise on election technology and processes. They'll join us this month to explore the pros and cons of voting via cellphone and will explain how such a system would work, who's behind the effort to adopt mobile voting, and why voting from our phones may or may not be a good course of action.

Bring your questions, and come learn how you can make your voice heard on this issue!

Please RSVP via Meetup or by sending an email to [email protected].

Speaker bios:

Sheila Golden is an activist focusing on election integrity, civil liberties/immigrant rights, and climate justice. She works with the League of Women Voters-OR and Scrutineers.

Stephanie Singer is a data scientist and former election official. She has assembled, analyzed and explained data for private business, public agencies, campaigns and election oversight. Her public service projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Knight Foundation. In 2020 she created the VoteVisualizer, a web app allowing users to explore election results from across the country. Her client list includes the Orange County Registrar of Voters and the nonpartisan nonprofit Verified Voting. She has advised elected officials across the country, including Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. From 2012-2016 she served on the Philadelphia County Board of Elections -- including one year as chair -- where she made data freely available, used data analysis to fight unconstitutional burdens on the voting process, and introduced "I Voted Today" stickers to all Philadelphia polling places. She won the post by defeating a 36-year incumbent in a citywide election. Singer co-chaired the statewide Election Reform Committee of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. Singer studied math and computer science at Yale and Stanford, completed a Ph.D. at New York University and earned tenure from Haverford College. She has written two books on mathematical physics.

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.