History and Significance of the TTBR and PEASWG
Former California Secretary of State Debra Bowen presents the history and enduring significance of the Top-to-Bottom Review (TTBR) and post-election audit working groups.
Summary
The Crisis of Faith in Electronic Voting in the 2000s
Following widespread adoption of uncertified electronic voting machines after the Help America Vote Act, alarming reports of lost votes and vendor irregularities threatened public trust in American elections.
Launching the California Top-to-Bottom Review (TTBR)
Upon taking office, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen initiated the landmark 2007 Top-to-Bottom Review, enlisting top academic researchers and legal experts to comprehensively audit all voting systems certified in California.
Courageous Policy Decertification and National Impact
Based on findings of severe vulnerabilities, Bowen conditionally decertified vulnerable machines, mandating paper audit trails and setting new standards for post-election audit security working groups (PEASWG).
Enduring Lessons for Democratic Governance
Bowen reflects on the political courage required to prioritize cybersecurity and transparency over vendor resistance, emphasizing that verifiable paper ballots remain the cornerstone of secure elections.
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