Who Decides the Number of Voting Machines?

[On the Road]

There has been a lot of justified outrage over the small number of voting machines in Democratic urban areas in Ohio and elsewhere. It's often portrayed as a Republican attempt at voter suppression.

But...

Aren't the counties themselves usually responsible for buying and allocating voting machines? For example, if Cuyahoga County is run by Democrats, wasn't it the county's job to make sure there were enough machines?

[IAMREALITY]

1. Don't know the answer, but

I wanted to bring light to that new truthout article. It said in it that even though so many precincts didn't have enough machines and 8 hour lines that there were still 68 machines in storage not being allocated? WTF?????

I hadn't heard that before, but now I am definitely convinced there was intention at supression.

[On the Road]

2. I'm Not Disputing Suppression as Much as Asking

HOW it could happen where Democrats control the process. That's what puzzles me.

I truly believe the election in Ohio was swung by the long lines at heavily Democratic polling places. For example, the analysis of Franklin County done by jmknapp:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=60234

But that only applies to Republican-controlled counties with a minority of Democratic precincts.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. I'd like to know too

Where I voted there were only 5 machines...at a VFW Hall. My boss said she had to vote at a country club, and they had like 60 machines.

[Eric J in MN]

10. What state? (nt)

nt

[Not_Giving_Up]

13. TX

[ooglymoogly]

4. if zell miller were running an election would you trust he

would be fair to the democrat vote.
unfortunately we have many zell millars in the democratic party especially election officials. take florida for instance. in 2000 did anyone believe those clearly republican minded oficials who designed the ballet were actually true democrats. puuleeeezzzz

[New Earth]

5. i think it's the secretary of state's job

not 100% sure, but i remember seeing or hearing that somewhere.

[Eric J in MN]

11. The County Election Director in Ohio decides how many

in each polling place.

Franklin County received $5 to $10 million in federal funds, but had some of the worst lines in Ohio because of too few voting machines in black neighborhoods.

The top elections official in Franklin County is Matthew Damschroder, director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

He should be audited to find out how he spent $5 to $10 million, but without providing enough machines.

http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=1249

[On the Road]

7. OK, But One of the Biggest Problems Areas Was Cuyahoga County

I don't think the county government in Dennis Kucinich's turf was full of Dixiecrats.

What I'm thinking is it's more likely to be confined to Democratic precincts within Republican-controlled counties. That narrows it down a bit and suggests that there may be discrepancies between Democratic counties depending on who controls the county government.

[SueZhope]

6. the free press :How the Ohio election was rigged for Bush

This one talks about the allocating of voting machines

http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/3/2004/995

[On the Road]

8. Thanks -- That's Helpful

It sounds like it was a county and local issue, and that some of the local precincts didn't make sure they had enough machines. It's a lefty site, so it's not GOP propaganda. But who knows? I'm really glad this is being scrutinized and people's feet are being held to the fire.

[Eric J in MN]

9. Matt Damschroder decided in Franklin County, Ohio

to send voting machines to the suburbs which were needed in the city.

[Eric J in MN]

12. Franklin County was run by a Republican,

Matt Damschroder.