The Problem

SMART Elections' Solutions

• We identify problems with our elections, based on expert research. Then we use innovative, user-friendly messaging to educate the public, advocates and officials about these issues.
• We train advocates and officials in how to implement expert recommendations to improve our elections. We organize collaboratively, educating groups and individuals about the urgency of our work. This  expands our impact. 
• We conduct non-partisan public oversight of elections, helping confirm that results are accurate, or locating trouble spots if they are there. 

Our Goal

We want elections to be secure, fair, accessible, well-administered, and publicly verifiable. We want the public to have full confidence in election results. 

Quote for Screen Readers:
"This organization is functioning at a higher level than any other I have seen to explore and understand the intricacies of both election law and the science of election technology...If you are going to invest in this critical arena, this is the place ... to invest in."
- Professor Vanessa Merton, Pace University 

SMART is an acronym. 

S = Secure
M = Marked and audited by hand (for those who are able)
A = Accessible & Accurate
R = Right to Vote
T = Transparent

Our Process: 

• Technology that is vulnerable to mistakes and hacking
• A lack of robust auditing to check if election results are correct
• The need to hire and train election officials in a way that corresponds to the complex technology that is in use.

Our bi-weekly forums have reached thousands of viewers, and we have plans to scale up further.

• "Let me say again how WONDERFUL all your seminars have been --just unbelievably outstanding!!"  - Dr. Ruth H. Strauss MD 

• "The SMART Elections forums bring together national experts to explain how elections work from the inside." - Catherine Ray, advocate

• "'SMART Elections' Election Protection Series offers a Master Class in Election Security. Lulu Friesdat, her guest speakers and informative visuals not only illustrate the pitfalls of bad voting machine technology but also offer examples of safe alternatives.”  

2. Collaborative organizing - The election security community has worked in considerable isolation for 15 years with limited results. We are building bridges now with reformers from many movements across the political spectrum. Over 50 experts and good government groups signed onto a letter we launched against risky voting machines in New York. We are collaborating with both new and established groups. We recently did a presentation for the New York City League of Women Voters, and we have plans to start a technology committee with them. This type of collaboration breaks down silos and is exponentially increasing our impact.

 

 

 

Would you consider supporting us with a donation of $50 - $500?

All the issues we care about are impacted by our elections: our families' safety, our personal liberties, our homes, our jobs, the education of our children, the air we breathe and the water we drink. 

We have already experienced violence from the anger around the 2020 election. It's essential that we move forward now, making improvements from a non-partisan, evidence-based perspective. If we don't address these urgent critical issues, our democracy may be compromised even further. 

Together we can make the changes we've been dreaming of...  Please support our work today with a generous contribution of $50 - $500.

Did you know?

What will the funds go toward?

• Public oversight projects
• Public records requests
• Developing a curriculum from our forums
• New films and video projects
• Ongoing software, and web costs
• Upgraded computers and infrastructure
• Supporting current staff
• Adding new team members for:
  • Staying in touch with volunteers and the public
  • Social media
  • Messaging
  • Graphic design
  • Web design and maintenance
  • Accounting

• $50 will help us keep you informed about this critical issue! 
  • This includes the websites, email programs, streaming and online meeting services we use to keep you up to date. 
• $130 covers the cost of one American Sign Language translator for a forum. 
• $500 will help us replace our aging computers and hard drives. 
  • This is really needed now!
• $1000 supports the educational curriculum we are creating. 
  • This will help us inform, empower and activate a new wave of election reform advocacy to improve our elections now!!