Marathong County to update voting system - to touch screens

[goddess40]

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/wdhlocal/291589843116099.shtml

The Marathon County Board has earmarked $1 million for new election equipment in 2005 to replace the county's decade-old voting system. The current system, which requires voters to fill in the dots on a ballot that is read by a computer system, is vulnerable to fraud and requires the disabled to seek assistance.

This from a county that is worried that we won't have enough money to clear our roads this winter.

[sybylla]

1. How on earth is scan any more vulnerable to fraud than DRE's?

The answer to the fraud question isn't a new system, it's auditing the old system.

Have you gone to a meeting yet?

At the very least I'd recommend going to BBV and printing off loads of info on electronic systems and putting it snail mail to each supervisor. You may at least be able to convince them to postpone their purchase a year or until kinks are worked out.

I'd also contact Marlys. See if you can rally the Dems to your cause as well.

I have some relatives in SW Marathon County who won't be happy about this. I'll see what I can do to get them on it as well.

[AllyCat]

2. What's wrong with decade old?

Oh, the Liar can't hack it. My bad.

[goddess40]

3. update on voting machines

My hubby talked to our county clerk and most of the machines they are talking about would be like optical scanners. They would scan the ballots as they are turned in so that if there is an error the voter would have a chance to correct it. Some of the machines would help handicapped people vote - the machine would mark their ballots according to their voice commands, at least that is the way I understand it. All would provide a paper trail.

While I'm for the optical scan machines at the polling place, I can't see spending the money on the other machines. We have Dem's, Rep's and Ind's working at the polls they can continue to help those that need it and save us a lot of money.