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Governor Signs Paper Trail Bill |
Funding Needed by Next Year for 2010 Implementation
Annapolis, MD. Governor Martin
O’Malley signed the voter verified paper record bill into law
that would require the use of paper ballots starting in 2010
and thus move the State one step closer to eliminating the questionable
Diebold paperless voting machines that have resulted in major
disenfranchisement since first being used in 2002.
Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Majority Leader Edward Kasemeyer and
the House by Del. Sheila Hixson, the paper trail bill passed both
chambers unanimously on the last day of the legislative session this
past April after suffering a major blow earlier when the bill was
reassigned back to its reviewing committee, usually a signal that the
bill will not see the light of day again.
“This has been an emotional roller coaster for thousands of Maryland
citizens who have championed the need for paper ballots,” said Shazia
Anwar, director of TrueVoteMD, an election integrity group that has
worked for over four years to get a paper trail bill passed.
The bill, which would not go into effect until 2010, can still be
rendered null and void if the Governor fails to fund it in his Fiscal
2009 budget. With a $1.5 billion deficit looming, supporters of the
bill know there are more hurdles to overcome.
“The Governor needs to fund this bill immediately,” said Anwar.
“Optical scan machines will quickly save Maryland significant funds
because you only need one per precinct compared to five to ten Diebold
machines. The Governor should not put a price on accurate and secure
elections. With this legislation, Maryland can be certain that this
basic pillar of democracy will be afforded the protection it has always
deserved.”
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