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Planning an Escape From Electronic Voting Machines |
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The Washington Post
By Ann E. Marimow and Matthew Mosk Thursday, February 23, 2006; Page B05
As the General Assembly debates the
reliability of Maryland's voting systems, a Montgomery County
legislator has taken steps to ditch the state's electronic machines for
the coming election and switch to paper ballots. Del. Sheila E. Hixson , chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, wants
the state to use optical scan machines. She has proposed legislative
amendments to ensure that the systems can be leased in time for the
September primary.
"The controversy here is about people's faith in having their vote
recorded," Hixson said yesterday. "We want to make sure there's an
accurate count in this election."
Maryland has committed to paying $90 million to bring in electronic
voting machines manufactured by Diebold Elections Systems for use
statewide. The state's elections chief, Linda H. Lamone , defended the
setup as one of the most reliable in the nation in a meeting yesterday
with The Washington Post's editorial board. Lamone also cast doubt on
whether optical scan machines would be available for the fall elections.
But Robb McGinnis , regional sales manager for Election Systems and
Software, said yesterday that the Nebraska-based company can deliver if
it is given enough notice.
"We're telling everyone, if you give us the go-ahead shortly, we'll provide the equipment," McGinnis said. "It's all timing."
Hixson estimated it would cost Maryland $16 million to lease the machines for this year's elections.
Last week, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr . (R) said he had lost confidence
in the State Board of Elections' "ability to conduct fair and accurate
elections," in part because of questions about the security of the
Diebold machines and a new law that will allow voters to cast ballots
in the week before the election. |
