Changes

Smartmatic acquired Sequoia Voting Systems in 2005.<ref name="WPbizz">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001224.html|title=Voting Machine Firm Denies Chavez Ties|last1=Goldfarb|first1=Zachary A.|date=31 October 2006|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=|quote=Bizta, a start-up technology company in Venezuela with some of the same owners as Smartmatic}}</ref><ref>''Business Wire'', 9 March 2005, [http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050308006237&newsLang=en Sequoia Voting Systems and Smartmatic Combine to Form Global Leader in Electronic Voting Solutions]</ref><ref name="CRONsmart">{{cite news|url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2009/472673.html|title=Smartmatic es una empresa de "comercio riesgoso" y... defraudadora|last1=Cedillo Cano|first1=Alejandro|date=1 December 2009|work=La Crónica de Hoy|accessdate=|language=es-MX}}</ref> Following this acquisition, Rep. [[Carolyn Maloney]] requested an investigation to determine whether the [[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States|Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)]] had followed correct processes to green-light sale of Sequoia to Smartmatic, which was described as having "possible ties to the Venezuelan government".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1095&Itemid=61|title=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|website=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref> The request was made after a March 2006 following issues in [[Chicago]] and Cook County, where a percentage of the machines involved were manufactured by Sequoia, and Sequoia provided technical assistance, some by a number of Venezuelan nationals flown in for the event.<ref name="abclocal">ABC Local, 7 April 2006, [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=4065162 Alderman: Election Day troubles could be part of 'international conspiracy']</ref>  

Smartmatic acquired Sequoia Voting Systems in 2005.<ref name="WPbizz">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001224.html|title=Voting Machine Firm Denies Chavez Ties|last1=Goldfarb|first1=Zachary A.|date=31 October 2006|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=|quote=Bizta, a start-up technology company in Venezuela with some of the same owners as Smartmatic}}</ref><ref>''Business Wire'', 9 March 2005, [http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050308006237&newsLang=en Sequoia Voting Systems and Smartmatic Combine to Form Global Leader in Electronic Voting Solutions]</ref><ref name="CRONsmart">{{cite news|url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2009/472673.html|title=Smartmatic es una empresa de "comercio riesgoso" y... defraudadora|last1=Cedillo Cano|first1=Alejandro|date=1 December 2009|work=La Crónica de Hoy|accessdate=|language=es-MX}}</ref> Following this acquisition, Rep. [[Carolyn Maloney]] requested an investigation to determine whether the [[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States|Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)]] had followed correct processes to green-light sale of Sequoia to Smartmatic, which was described as having "possible ties to the Venezuelan government".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1095&Itemid=61|title=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|website=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref> The request was made after a March 2006 following issues in [[Chicago]] and Cook County, where a percentage of the machines involved were manufactured by Sequoia, and Sequoia provided technical assistance, some by a number of Venezuelan nationals flown in for the event.<ref name="abclocal">ABC Local, 7 April 2006, [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=4065162 Alderman: Election Day troubles could be part of 'international conspiracy']</ref>  

Following the request, Smartmatic and Sequoia submitted a request to be reviewed by the CFIUS while also denying links to the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsmax.com/pre-2008/voting-machine-firm-denies-hugo/2006/10/30/id/684637/|title=Voting-Machine Firm Denies Hugo Chavez Ties|date=2006-10-30|website=[[Newsmax]]|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> The company disclosed that it was owned by Antonio Mugica (78.8%), Alfredo Anzola (3.87%), Roger Pinate (8.47%), Jorge Massa Dustou (5.97%) and employees (2.89%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtech.com/security/Voting-Machine-Company-Vows-No-Connection.html|title=Voting Machine Company Vows No Connection to Venezuelan President Chavez|website=www.govtech.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> Smartmatic subsequently sold Sequoia and later withdrew from Cook County in December 2006.<ref name="WSJpe">{{cite news|title=Politics & Economics: Smartmatic to Shed U.S. Unit, End Probe Into Venezuelan Links|last1=Davis|first1=Bob|date=22 December 2006|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|ref=Page A6}}</ref>

Following the request, Smartmatic and Sequoia submitted a request to be reviewed by the CFIUS while also denying links to the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsmax.com/pre-2008/voting-machine-firm-denies-hugo/2006/10/30/id/684637/|title=Voting-Machine Firm Denies Hugo Chavez Ties|date=2006-10-30|website=[[Newsmax]]|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> The company disclosed that it was owned by Antonio Mugica (78.8%), Alfredo Anzola (3.87%), Roger Pinate (8.47%), Jorge Massa Dustou (5.97%) and employees (2.89%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtech.com/security/Voting-Machine-Company-Vows-No-Connection.html|title=Voting Machine Company Vows No Connection to Venezuelan President Chavez|website=www.govtech.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> Smartmatic subsequently sold Sequoia and later withdrew from Cook County in December 2006.<ref name="WSJpe">{{cite news|title=Politics & Economics: Smartmatic to Shed U.S. Unit, End Probe Into Venezuelan Links|last1=Davis|first1=Bob|date=22 December 2006|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|ref=Page A6}}</ref>

''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote that "Smartmatic scrapped a simple corporate structure" of being based in Boca Raton "for a far more complex arrangement" of being located in multiple locations following the Sequoia incident.<ref name="WSJpe" /> Though Smartmatic has made differing statements saying that they were either American or Dutch based, the [[United States Department of State]] stated that its Venezuelan owners "remain hidden behind a web of holding companies in the Netherlands and Barbados".<ref name="MTus" /><ref name="BBCsmart" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' states that "the role of the young Venezuelan engineers who founded Smartmatic has become less visible" and that its organization is "an elaborate web of offshore companies and foreign trusts",<ref name="NYTties" /> while [[BBC News]] states that though Smartmatic says the company was founded in the United States, "its roots are firmly anchored in (Venezuela)".<ref name="BBCsmart" /> Multiple sources simply state that Smartmatic is a Venezuelan company.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tiglao|first1=Rigoberto D.|title=US Caracas Embassy: 'Smartmatic is a riddle'|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/us-caracas-embassy-smartmatic-is-a-riddle/232249/|accessdate=|work=The Manila Times|date=1 December 2015}}<br />{{cite book|title=Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), One Year After Dubai Ports World: Congressional Hearing|date=7 February 2007|publisher=[[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-1422320471|page=7<!--|accessdate=22 December 2016-->}}<br />{{cite news|last1=Uy|first1=Jocelyn R.|title=Smartmatic faces probe|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785566/smartmatic-faces-probe|accessdate=|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=14 May 2016}}<br />{{cite magazine|last1=Essers|first1=Loek|title=Belgian Region's Decision to Use New Voting Machines Reignites E-voting Debate|url=http://www.cio.com/article/2391971/e-voting/belgian-region-s-decision-to-use-new-voting-machines-reignites-e-voting-debate.html|magazine=CIO magazine|accessdate=|date=2012-09-24}}</ref> Smartmatic maintains that the holding companies in multiple countries are used for "[[Tax avoidance|tax efficiency]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-10-30/news/0610300235_1_electronic-voting-election-officials-electronic-voting|title=Election officials OK with probe|last1=McCormick|first1=John|date=30 October 2006|work=The Chicago Tribune|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>

''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote that "Smartmatic scrapped a simple corporate structure" of being based in Boca Raton "for a far more complex arrangement" of being located in multiple locations following the Sequoia incident.<ref name="WSJpe" /> Though Smartmatic has made differing statements saying that they were either American or Dutch based, the [[United States Department of State]] stated that its Venezuelan owners "remain hidden behind a web of holding companies in the Netherlands and Barbados".<ref name="MTus" /><ref name="BBCsmart" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' states that "the role of the young Venezuelan engineers who founded Smartmatic has become less visible" and that its organization is "an elaborate web of offshore companies and foreign trusts",<ref name="NYTties" /> while [[BBC News]] states that though Smartmatic says the company was founded in the United States, "its roots are firmly anchored in (Venezuela)".<ref name="BBCsmart" /> Multiple sources simply state that Smartmatic is a Venezuelan company.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tiglao|first1=Rigoberto D.|title=US Caracas Embassy: 'Smartmatic is a riddle'|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/us-caracas-embassy-smartmatic-is-a-riddle/232249/|accessdate=|work=The Manila Times|date=1 December 2015}}<br />{{cite book|title=Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), One Year After Dubai Ports World: Congressional Hearing|date=7 February 2007|publisher=[[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-1422320471|page=7<!--|accessdate=22 December 2016-->}}<br />{{cite news|last1=Uy|first1=Jocelyn R.|title=Smartmatic faces probe|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785566/smartmatic-faces-probe|accessdate=|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=14 May 2016}}<br />{{cite magazine|last1=Essers|first1=Loek|title=Belgian Region's Decision to Use New Voting Machines Reignites E-voting Debate|url=http://www.cio.com/article/2391971/e-voting/belgian-region-s-decision-to-use-new-voting-machines-reignites-e-voting-debate.html|magazine=CIO magazine|accessdate=|date=2012-09-24}}</ref> Smartmatic maintains that the holding companies in multiple countries are used for "[[Tax avoidance|tax efficiency]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-10-30/news/0610300235_1_electronic-voting-election-officials-electronic-voting|title=Election officials OK with probe|last1=McCormick|first1=John|date=30 October 2006|work=The Chicago Tribune|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>

=====2010 elections=====

=====2010 elections=====

Prior to the elections, Filipino-Americans called on [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] to investigate the background of Smartmatic prior to the elections due to its links to the Venezuelan government. Smartmatic described these actions as "trying to rehash a story based on market share".<ref name="PDIobama">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20100509/283141424974812|title=Obama asked: Investigate Smartmatic|date=9 May 2010|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|accessdate=|quote=Smartmatic has disclosed, he said, that its owners are families in Venezuela}}</ref> Following allegations of fraud, some employees of Smartmatic had their passports temporarily held.<ref name="ABSsons">{{cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/20/10/teddy-boy-blows-top-smartmatic-official|title='Teddy Boy' blows top at Smartmatic official|date=20 May 2010|work=[[ABS-CBN News]]|accessdate=}}</ref> At a fraud inquiry on May 20, 2010, Heider Garcia of Smartmatic was questioned on the transparency and what he called "unforeseen" occurrences during the election process, with Philippine official Teodoro Locsin Jr. – an automated poll advocate – sharply rebuking Garcia.<ref name="ABSsons" /> On June 29, 2010, the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) filed a complaint with the country's Ombudsman against 17 officials of the Commission on Elections and the Smartmatic-TIM Corp. for alleged “incompetence,” graft and unethical conduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100721-282412/Graft-raps-filed-vs-Smartmatic-Comelec-execs|title=Inquirer.Net: Graft raps filed vs Smartmatic, Comelec execs|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>

Prior to the elections, Filipino-Americans called on [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] to investigate the background of Smartmatic prior to the elections due to its links to the Venezuelan government. Smartmatic described these actions as "trying to rehash a story based on market share".<ref name="PDIobama">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20100509/283141424974812|title=Obama asked: Investigate Smartmatic|date=9 May 2010|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|accessdate=|quote=Smartmatic has disclosed, he said, that its owners are families in Venezuela}}</ref> Following allegations of fraud, some employees of Smartmatic had their passports temporarily held.<ref name="ABSsons">{{cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/20/10/teddy-boy-blows-top-smartmatic-official|title='Teddy Boy' blows top at Smartmatic official|date=20 May 2010|work=ABS-CBN News|accessdate=}}</ref> At a fraud inquiry on May 20, 2010, Heider Garcia of Smartmatic was questioned on the transparency and what he called "unforeseen" occurrences during the election process, with Philippine official Teodoro Locsin Jr. – an automated poll advocate – sharply rebuking Garcia.<ref name="ABSsons" /> On June 29, 2010, the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) filed a complaint with the country's Ombudsman against 17 officials of the Commission on Elections and the Smartmatic-TIM Corp. for alleged “incompetence,” graft and unethical conduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100721-282412/Graft-raps-filed-vs-Smartmatic-Comelec-execs|title=Inquirer.Net: Graft raps filed vs Smartmatic, Comelec execs|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>

==== 2016 elections ====

==== 2016 elections ====