The Arlington Electoral Board objects to the very public manner in which this issue was announced. No prior warning was given to either local election offices or localities, and now we have been placed in an intenable position.

The Commissioner further states that the agency was unaware of vulnerabilities with the WINvote machines prior to late February. This is simply not true. Issues regarding the wireless function were known and discussed in depth by the State Board of Elections in 2007, in conjunction with localities and the system's vendor:

"...the system's design, programming, and security protocols directs the machines to only communicate with other WINvote machines.

I believe it is important to point out that upon programming these systems prior to an election, the system generates an 'encryption key' that only machines located in the same polling place, programmed with the same 'key,' could communicate with each other when operated by an election official with the appropriate access card and password.

I have sought legal advice to ensure that using the WINvote equipment is ineed in keeping with the law and have received those assurances."

- statement by Nancy Rodriques, Secretary, State Board of Elections, at SBE meeting on September 6, 2007

"WINvote equipment with wireless functionality may be used as prescribed and in compliance with security measures as contained in the United States Election Assistance Commission's Management Guide for Voting System Security."

- From a resolution adopted by the Virginia State Board of Elections, October 17, 2007

The agency has not provided evidence that they WINvote machines used in Virginia have been used in a manner inconsistent with approved security measures. The handling and timing of this issue is an insult to the dedicated local election officials who work hard ensure the integrity of Virginia's election.