McClatchy: Local election officials fear paper-trail bill could bring chaos

[babylonsister]

Local election officials fear paper-trail bill could bring chaos
By Barbara Barrett | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Local governments that spent millions of dollars on new voting machines two years ago might have to do it again if a bill pending in Congress becomes law.

The bill would require ballots nationwide to have paper trails by the November 2008 presidential election.

That means that local governments in 19 states and the District of Columbia would have to reinvest in new sets of technology months before facing their busiest election day. Almost all other local governments nationally would be required to buy new equipment by 2012.

"Can't do it. There's no way," said Chris Exarchos, the chairman of the Centre County Board of Commissioners in State College, Pa. "You need time for a smooth transition."

The bill could be voted on in the House of Representatives early this week. Although there are 216 co-sponsors, the measure has run into snags in recent weeks as local governments lobby to say they can't meet the deadlines. The state of New York, for example, wants a one-year extension to use its lever machines.

Proponents say the requirements are needed after years of problems across the nation with vote undercounts, broken machinery and allegations of voter fraud.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/19735.html

[riqster]

1. This chaos is what the Reeps want

Every election that they can rig is one more crooked Reep in office.

[demodonkey]

2. More Crap from the Vendor-Supported National Assn. of Counties.

WHY do these election officials NOT want to DO THEIR JOB and count our votes accurately?

[SoCalDem]

3. We somehow managed the CHAOS of paper ballots for over 200 years

and yet, since Bush came along, we cannot seem to manage paper.. what a co-inkee-dink..:)

Talk about the dumbing down of....

[napi21]

4. That's a follish and silly argument! Have they gotten sooo used to

automation, they've forgotten how to use AND COUNT pieces of paper and a PENCIL!!!!! Yes, it would take a lot longer to tally the results, and it would take several people staying late to COUNT the damn votes, but other than a lot of grumbling, WHERE would there be chaos?????

[mod mom]

5. Chaos as in elected officials who actually won?