Gloria Mattera

January 29, 2007

Testimony urging a vote on Resolution 131

Thank you for holding this hearing.

My name is Gloria Mattera and I live in 437 2 Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

I urge the Governmental Operations Committee to vote Resolution 131 out of committee and recommend it for passage to the entire City Council.

Elections must be observable. Everyone must be able to witness the procedures. This can’t happen if we use electronic voting machines.

Please do not delay speaking up for democracy. Please do not delay the passage of this resolution.

Although New York may be the last state to take the important step of selecting new voting equipment, I believe that we can take the most thoughtful and democratic step with your support.

Please pass Resolution 131 for paper ballots and optical scanners, if we have to replace our mechanical lever voting machines.

Thank you