High-tech election gear about to go?

[phoebe]

Even chads are looking good to Broward leaders, who are considering dumping their electronic voting machines for a lower tech system.
BY ERIKA BOLSTAD
[e-mail]

California counties under pressure to abandon punch-card voting may be able to pick up a bargain from Broward commissioners, who are now talking about getting rid of the county's two-year-old, $17.2 million touch-screen voting system.

After saying ''so long, chad'' and embracing touch-screen voting equipment, Broward commissioners are thinking about replacing their electronic equipment with an optical-scan system that leaves a paper trail.

snip

Commissioners want a report on how to retrofit their 5,200 touch-screen machines to print out paper records.

snip

But officials with Elections System & Software of Nebraska, which sold Broward and Miami-Dade their voting equipment, was quick to separate itself from Diebold. They emphasized their confidence in the security of the ES&S systems, but said they're worried about widespread questioning of touch-screen security.

more
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6846449.htm

[Bushfire]

1. You beat me to posting this

I found it over at http://www.electionline.org/electionlinetoday.jsp which is a great site!

on edit: This story will be HUGE if Broward dumps the BBV machines! Go Broward!!! Do it!!

[wtmusic]

2. It's all the same

Has nothing to do with the software

[Bushfire]

3. You are correct, it's the security that is the issue

but ES&S admits it's worried about the bad publicity. Audit logs that can be tampered with are the real issue, among others. Broward will still set a precedent in the movement though if they dump the Touch Screens.

[wabeewoman]

4. Just heard this on Paul Harvey

well whoever is substituting for him. Said problems with touch screens -may go back to paper ballots. BTW: Paul Harvey is famous for skewing the news and I spend as much time commenting back to him as listening but thought it interesting this has made his show.

[sunscreened]

5. I am on it!

Just spoke with my commissioner's aide. When I asked where he stood on this issue, I was told he is waiting for results of the study which will take a couple of months. (He was originally appointed by Jeb to fill a vacany so I have an idea we might not get much help from him.) But it does seem that there is some strong support for paper among the other commissioners.

The article in both the Herald and Sentinel and on the radio gave the figure of $1,000 to outfit the machines. I told the aide that the records of the final public HAVA meeting suggested a figure of around $400-600 (I think, certainly not $1,000!). She then told me this is what the study was for and passed me on the the County Admin who will conduct the study. Collecting my thoughts before I call.

There is a huge storm in the Elections office over the overall budget of 14.7 vs. 9.6 million and it will probably go to court. I am wondering about where the $1000 figure really came from and why.

[loudsue]

6. Good for you, sunscreened!!! Stay on 'em like

our freedom depended on it....IT DOES!!

Thanks for your involvement!!

:kick:

[Gman]

7. Let's see if the brakes get put on this

if Jeb or someone else steps in and stops Broward country from abandoning the touch screens, we will know without a doubt that the fix is in for next year's elections.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Nice to know

somebody out there is paying attention. <g>



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