The inmates are running the asylum.
Scientist, safecracker, etc. McDevitt Professor of Computer Science and Law at Georgetown. So-called expert on election security and a few other things. Slow photographer. RF nerd. Occasionally blogs at https://mattblaze.org/blog
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The inmates are running the asylum.
Fairly detailed floorplans for the residence are online. This is the southeast corner of the 2nd floor (which is sometimes called the 1st floor). The corner window is the sitting room, the window to the right is the bath. The view is almost certainly from the rooftop bar of the Hotel Washington.
Fairly detailed floorplans for the residence are online. This is the southeast corner of the 2nd floor (which is sometimes called the 1st floor). The corner window is the sitting room, the window to the right is the bath. The view is almost certainly from the rooftop bar of the Hotel Washington.
Based on the published floorplan, I believe that's the bathroom of the Lincoln Bedroom suite.
Somebody is throwing things out of a window of the White House wtaf
Based on the published floorplan, I believe that's the bathroom of the Lincoln Bedroom suite.
Yeah, the granularity is nice. Completely open, people you follow only, or completely closed.
Yeah, the granularity is nice. Completely open, people you follow only, or completely closed.
Well, I just got my first DM here suggesting I commit suicide, so I guess that means I’ve arrived. Yay? (Apparently my DMs were open. Fixed that now.)
It's also worth noting that the measures he calls for - voter ID, no vote-by-mail, etc - are nothing new. He and others have long advocated for them, and some states already implement versions of them. So this "order", which has the legal force of a "suggestion", is also old news.
Oof.
Just made liberal use of the block button. I do so because I am a coward, unable to hold my own against their superior intellect and logical prowess.
Nonetheless, a presidential executive order has no authority over them. State officials and legislatures can do whatever they can do with or without such an order. It has no legal significance here whatsoever.
Time for some hopscotch civil disobedience. Dance D.C.! Dare the fascists and have fun while you do it 💃🕺
So far, it’s working out pretty well, actually.
Nonetheless, a presidential executive order has no authority over them. State officials and legislatures can do whatever they can do with or without such an order. It has no legal significance here whatsoever.
I don’t know if the law and constitution will get us out of this or not. And neither do you, so please stay the hell out of the way of those who are trying to save it.
I wonder who the people yelling so vehemently that Trump is unstoppable and that any attempts to use the law to rein him in are stupid and pointless are actually working for. The actual track record of the legal system here hasn’t been perfect by any means, but it’s hardly been a complete failure.
There are plenty of things to worry about with Trump. The legitimate power of the presidency is already vast, and he constantly pushes at its edges to abuse the office further still. But this “order” is just empty blather on his part, not something he has any ability to actually do.
As far as I can tell - and I study elections for a living - it works fine. There are certainly problems with various aspects of US elections, but ambiguity about what laws state and local election officials must follow or who has authority to issue regulations isn’t one of them.
What a dilemma for you! guess I’m probably just too stupid or ignorant for you to be able to reach.
So, you don’t actually care about the substance of my post, you just want to find something to disagree about. Got it.
So, you don’t actually care about the substance of my post, you just want to find something to disagree about. Got it.
There are plenty of things to worry about with Trump. The legitimate power of the presidency is already vast, and he constantly pushes at its edges to abuse the office further still. But this “order” is just empty blather on his part, not something he has any ability to actually do.
As far as I can tell - and I study elections for a living - it works fine. There are certainly problems with various aspects of US elections, but ambiguity about what laws state and local election officials must follow or who has authority to issue regulations isn’t one of them.
I’m trying to provide accurate information and context. Sorry if that isn’t useful to you. But perhaps it might be to others who aren’t as clever and well informed as you are.
Based on my mentions right now, there are are surprisingly large number of election law experts out there who appear to be unaware that the federal government doesn’t actually run US elections.
I’m trying to provide accurate information and context in this thread. Sorry if that isn’t useful to you. But perhaps it might be to others who aren’t as clever and savvy as you are.
I’m trying to provide accurate information and context in this thread. Sorry if that isn’t useful to you. But perhaps it might be to others who aren’t as clever and savvy as you are.
You’re the law professor.
Go argue with someone else. Done with this.
Stop him from doing what? The federal government doesn’t run elections.
Stop him from doing what? The federal government doesn’t run elections.
One class. I got through exactly ONE CLASS in my elections course this semester before Trump issued an executive order disrupting my syllabus.
How, exactly? In the US, elections are managed by states (with their operations generally delegated to counties), not the federal government. Executive orders from the president are not binding on state or local election officials.
How, exactly? In the US, elections are managed by states (with their operations generally delegated to counties), not the federal government. Executive orders from the president are not binding on state or local election officials.
I *think* the universal service requirement for first class mail is in a statute, so maybe not.
Now, Congress might well be able to legislate most or all of the things in Trump’s putative elections order. And the current congress has been remarkably compliant with Trump’s legislative wishes, so it’s not out of the question that they might do this. But not because of any EO.
How does he “do” this? The federal government doesn’t run elections. States do.
Also, “Executive Orders” are not laws. They’re orders to the executive branch of the federal government. If you don’t work for the executive branch of the federal government (say, for example, you’re a state election official), presidential executive orders don’t apply to you.
I mean article I, of course. Fat fingers.
This is not some borderline edge case. It’s addressed directly in Article II of the constitution. See www.archives.gov/founding-doc... for even more fun facts about how our government is organized.
Just for the record, Trump can’t do this. The constitution is very clear that the times, places, and manners of elections for federal office are up to each state, but can be altered by Congress. The president has no role here, except to sign into law or veto a bill that congress passes to do this.
DC Friends: Neither CVS nor Walgreens appear to have any of the updated COVID vaccines available in the District yet, but both do in the nearby MD suburbs. Just scheduled mine in Bethesda. (It feels vaguely like arranging a drug deal, which I suppose getting vaccinated technically literally is.)
"But how will we know if we don't INVESTIGATE???"
Gerrymandering is not a factor in US presidential elections.
Now, I dislike Mike Lindell. I would very much like to believe that he's a mass murderer and that he belongs in prison, for everyone's safety, before he smothers us all. But there's a gap in my reasoning. Can you spot it?
An example: There is (and this is true) a weakness in the human body where if it's deprived of oxygen for a few minutes, it dies! One can exploit this against an enemy by holding a pillow over their mouth and nose. Does this prove that Mike Lindell, who OWNS A PILLOW FACTORY, is a mass murderer?
In particular, it's very easy - and fatally wrong - to conflate "there are weaknesses in US election systems" (which is true, and a reason we must improve them) with "this particular election whose outcome I dislike was stolen" (something for which there is generally little evidence).
What I find especially frustrating here, aside from my offense at the general griftiness of it all, is that they're trotting out EXACTLY the same worn playbook that was used by Trump supporters to try to overturn the 2020 election. And people fall for it because they want their side to win.
Which is, of course, unsurprising, since they lack standing, an actual cause of action for which relief is available, and persuasive evidence to support their claims. But other than that...
Presumably they are also authorized to shoot any threatening or suspicious litter.
Not an expert. I don’t *think* that could be admitted into trial evidence for the jury for the underlying charge, but it possibly could be used in an appeal or trial motion based on malicious prosecution.
They already charged a (state) judge, so anything is possible at this point.
I guess if resubmitting to another grand jury doesn't work, they can always threaten the grand jurors themselves with indictment. Aggravated wokeness or something.
On the other had, your capacity to embarrass your son several years from now has been greatly enhanced.
Also ensure that executive offices are decorated with at least the required amount of gold leaf.
These are just a few selected highlights. We had a great (if exhausting) time putting on the Village this year, and we hope you find the program interesting and helpful, whether you joined us in person or online! #VotingVillage
Prof. Michael Specter on practical vulnerabilities in deployed mobile voting systems. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BgA... #VotingVillage
A new, simple attack against the Dominion ICX ballot-marking device, with Drew Springall, Philip Davis, and Marilyn Marks www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYL8... #VotingVillage
Philip Stark, professor of statistics at UC Berkeley, talked about Risk-Limiting Audits, probably the most important advance in securing elections of this century. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI07... #VotingVillage
Turing Award winner Ron Rivest (yes, the "R" in RSA) talked about "Software Independence" for evidence-based elections. www.youtube.com/watch?v=31jo... #VotingVillage
The Hon. Deborah Bowen, the former California Secretary of State behind the 2007 "Top To Bottom Review" of the state's election technology, gave a keynote describing her experiences introducing transparency into voting systems. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwY... #VotingVillage
It was a great program, and we're proud of every talk, but here are a few highlights of general interest. I kicked us off with a general overview of the technical problems (and solutions) in making elections trustworthy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzRS... #VotingVillage
My mom always took a portable radio when we went to mets games, back in the day.
There are two sets of announcers? I had no idea.
Anyone raising money to sue for a "recount" of the 2024 presidential election is trying to scam you. This is simply not a thing. The election is long over, the results long certified, and the time during which recounts can happen in every US jurisdiction is long past.
I don't think you think I'm a moron. I think you think I'm evil and malicious. Anyway, bye.
I don't think you think I'm a moron. I think you think I'm evil and malicious. Anyway, bye.
Have you ever heard the expression "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? You might want to look into that, and consider its broader implications for social interaction. Just a suggestion.
Have you ever heard the expression "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? You might want to look into that, and consider its broader implications for social interaction. Just a suggestion.
We had a mix of invited talks and submissions. We got more submissions than we had space for, and had to be picky!
What working in election security is like, part 5693
Videos of the talks at #VotingVillage 2025 (held at @defcon.bsky.social 33) are now up on our YouTube channel! Here's a full playlist of all 20 talks: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... I think I'm supposed to tell you to "like and subscribe", but really, just enjoy.
I’d take my chances with them, TBH.
Ha! It's a Flo-Mask Pro. You can get them on Amazon now, I think. Filters and straps are replaceable, and it gives me a much better seal than any disposable N95 I've ever used.
These are just a few selected highlights. We had a great (if exhausting) time putting on the Village this year, and we hope you find the program interesting and helpful, whether you joined us in person or online! #VotingVillage
Prof. Michael Specter on practical vulnerabilities in deployed mobile voting systems. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BgA... #VotingVillage
A new, simple attack against the Dominion ICX ballot-marking device, with Drew Springall, Philip Davis, and Marilyn Marks www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYL8... #VotingVillage
Philip Stark, professor of statistics at UC Berkeley, talked about Risk-Limiting Audits, probably the most important advance in securing elections of this century. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI07... #VotingVillage
Turing Award winner Ron Rivest (yes, the "R" in RSA) talked about "Software Independence" for evidence-based elections. www.youtube.com/watch?v=31jo... #VotingVillage
The Hon. Deborah Bowen, the former California Secretary of State behind the 2007 "Top To Bottom Review" of the state's election technology, gave a keynote describing her experiences introducing transparency into voting systems. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjwY... #VotingVillage
It was a great program, and we're proud of every talk, but here are a few highlights of general interest. I kicked us off with a general overview of the technical problems (and solutions) in making elections trustworthy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzRS... #VotingVillage
Videos of the talks at #VotingVillage 2025 (held at @defcon.bsky.social 33) are now up on our YouTube channel! Here's a full playlist of all 20 talks: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... I think I'm supposed to tell you to "like and subscribe", but really, just enjoy.
As Bob Morris said, the surprising lesson of ABSCAM wasn’t that politicians can be bought, but that you can afford one.
Anyone raising money to sue for a "recount" of the 2024 presidential election is trying to scam you. This is simply not a thing. The election is long over, the results long certified, and the time during which recounts can happen in every US jurisdiction is long past.
I wonder if the federal patrols descending on DC will be including white-collar crime in their crackdown. You know, like pulling over fancy cars and auditing their taxes. That could have a real impact.
Thanks to everyone - speakers, volunteers, attendees - who participated in a terrific Voting Village 2025 at @defcon.bsky.social last weekend! I think it was our best event ever. We expect to have the talk videos up on our YouTube channel in a week or so. Watch this space for links.
There’s no way to stop people from cherry picking, unfortunately.
Should be there
We are pleased to announce the final* schedule of talks for the 2025 Symposium on Election Security at the DEF CON Voting Village, August 8-10, in quiet, sleepy Las Vegas. Hope to see you there! www.mattblaze.org/papers/VV202... * -subject to change
We are pleased to announce the final* schedule of talks for the 2025 Symposium on Election Security at the DEF CON Voting Village, August 8-10, in quiet, sleepy Las Vegas. Hope to see you there! www.mattblaze.org/papers/VV202... * -subject to change
The real reason he doesn't get invited to the cool parties on Martha's Vinyard anymore.
Be sure to always call it please “research”.
It’s like saying “just get a new family”, but harder.
100% this. Faculty hiring is done on annual schedules. You can’t just pick up and go elsewhere next month. And SENIOR faculty hiring operates on a glacial pace. Not to mention that professors put down complex institutional roots (grad students, lab infrastructure) that is also nontrivial to move.
It’s like saying “just get a new family”, but harder.
100% this. Faculty hiring is done on annual schedules. You can’t just pick up and go elsewhere next month. And SENIOR faculty hiring operates on a glacial pace. Not to mention that professors put down complex institutional roots (grad students, lab infrastructure) that is also nontrivial to move.
We @fsfp are so excited to be co-hosting the speakers’ track at the @defcon.bsky.social Voting Village with the Election Integrity Foundation, and the OGs of voting system security research @mattblaze.org and David Jefferson. Check out our program lineup ⬇️ All killer, no filler.
We're also super excited about this year's program! Plus we've got new election equipment to play with. And stickers.