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2009 Pilot Program for New York’s Voting Machines |
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Written by Bernadette Evangelist
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Tuesday, 26 May 2009 |
The following is a report from Wanda Warren Berry, Director, New Yorkers for Verified Voting, on the 2009 Pilot Program for New York’s Voting Machines
There is much confusion as New Yorkers anticipate the Primary and General elections in Fall 2009. Many realize that ballot-marking devices (BMDs) were authorized for use last year in order to comply with the federal requirement that at least one voting machine per polling place be accessible to persons with special needs. But in 2008, the precinct-based ballot scanners were not authorized and ballots marked by the BMDs were counted by hand.
Inasmuch as the testing and certification process for the ballot scanners will not be completed until near December in 2009, the New York State Board of Election has petitioned the Department of Justice for a further extension of the deadline for complete replacement of the lever machines. It has negotiated with the Department of Justice and the county election commissioners a “Proposed Plan for a 2009 Pilot Program.” Documents setting forth this “Pilot Program” can be found at http://www.elections.state.ny.us .
These documents show that, if the Department of Justice and the federal judge approve this plan, as many as 16 counties will completely implement the new system and not deploy the lever machines at all in Fall 2009. Other counties have designated particular election districts for “pilot” deployments of the new system. High population areas like New York City are planning no pilot deployments of the new system.
Many citizens wrote to the NY State Board of Elections before its May 12th meeting in order to call for 100% hand counts if there is “pilot” use of uncertified ballot scanners. In that meeting, the Board acknowledged the messages from citizens; but most of the commissioners seemed to think “it was a done deal.” (See the archived webcast at the site above) The picture drawn was that the lawyers for the SBOE and the Department of Justice in consultation with the county election commissioners had agreed on the plan—and that the state commissioners feared the counties would withdraw from the “pilots” if there had to be a 100% hand count.
The most significant section of the pilot plan (see page 3 of the narrative) for many of us is the section on “Post Election Verification.” This is the plan for checking whether the scanners were counting accurately during the election. The good thing is that Commissioner Kellner pointed out the need to add here the new audit regulations. Good government groups have proposed a revision of the audit regulations that experts say will make them stronger. In addition, the proposal calls for 100% hand counts under certain conditions.
The resolution passed by the SBOE on May 12 “grants interim authorization” of the use of the Sequoia/Dominion Image-Cast and the ES&S 200+ AutoMark Voting Systems “only in 2009.” Since the plan was worked out in close consultation with the Department of Justice, approval by the federal court seems likely. Therefore, the wheels are turning toward quite massive deployment of paper ballot scanner system instead of lever machines in New York this Fall.
It is very important that everyone take the training available on the new machines and help to reduce the level of anxiety that people see, to feel. We should focus on the fact that most voters will receive a paper ballots for their district, mark it in a privacy booth, and submit it to the ballot scanner. Too much publicity has been given to the more complex process for use of the ballot marking devices which are primarily for persons with special needs, most of whom are used to accessible devices.
Concerned citizens need to reiterate their reminders to the Board that these are not “pilot” elections. They are real elections in which candidates have invested their resources. Every possible safeguard needs to guarantee that each vote will be counted.
For more information, contact Emily Pearlman at eppottery-at-earthlink.net (replace -at- with @)
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