High-tech election gear about to go?
Even chads are looking good to Broward leaders, who are considering dumping their electronic voting machines for a lower tech system.
BY ERIKA BOLSTAD
Miami Herald
Sep. 24, 2003
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.
''We might,'' said Commissioner Ilene Lieberman.
Commissioners want a report on how to retrofit their 5,200 touch-screen machines to print out paper records.
But, they reasoned, if the price is right, why not trade microchips for pencil and paper? At an estimated cost of $1,000 per touch-screen machine to add printers, some commissioners say they could sell off the high-tech system and buy the cheaper optical-scan equipment. It achieves the same result, commissioners point out: a paper record of votes.
''People want a printed piece of paper showing what they voted for,'' said Commissioner Lori Parrish. ``People want a hard copy of something for a recount.''
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Big old SMOOCH to Broward County! I just wish the rest of the country would get a clue and do the same! This is a really good article and gives a good explanation of why optical-scan systems are preferable and CHEAPER than touch screen machines, in addition to being far more secure.
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