County waits on voting equipment decision
By BUD CHAMBERS/Staff Reporter
Wednesday, July 28, 2004 1:14 PM CDT
 

County Judge Dorothy Morgan and Precinct 4 Commissioner Joy Fuchs traveled to Austin Tuesday for a Secretary of State's seminar on handicapped voting machines, but joined with leaderships from numerous other counties in returning home with more questions than answers.

Morgan noted, "There's tremendous anger (among leaders in Texas' counties) over this federal mandate."

She spoke to local media on the subject today, just ahead of the five-member court starting an initial round of 2005 county budget discussions.

The new more computer-oriented equipment requirement - tapping "answers" out on a computer screen - has produced five vendors with the products which meet the new federal/state requirements. The equipment ranges from $3,500 to $5,500 per unit.

The possible downside is that no one seems to know "how many of the machines will be needed Š" to meet new federal legislation standards that are included in a law titled, "Help America Vote."

Therefore, according to Morgan, the $81 million set aside for all of Texas in funding the newly-required, more computer-oriented voting machines may cover only a small percentage of total expenses.

"First of all, no one seems to know yet whether we'll have to buy 18, one for every voting location, or 30 (one for every voting box)," she said.

Further, Morgan explained, though the major political parties are said "responsible for their party primaries," the thinking in Austin seems to be counties will likely be required to provide the parties the new equipment.

"This could double the number (possibly 60 new voting units), if the two parties don't combine their primary locations," Morgan suggested.

With these increased voting machine requirements, Morgan sees the need for a state law "mandating" such combined primary voting places to save substantial dollars in election equipment/operating costs.

Otherwise, a worst case scenario in Washington County could require some $300,000 for these high-technology voting machines - seemingly new rules under a federal law titled "Help America Vote" which were prompted by the vote counting woes, especially in Florida, in the 2000 elections.

This conclusion is obvious, Morgan notes, because 17 Texas counties "who have punch out ballots, like the ones in Florida Š" apparently will receive first priority on federal monies to buy the new equipment.

Meanwhile, a first impression by Morgan leans "toward our continuing to utilize paper ballots" - though the new voting machine with this feature runs toward the higher $5,000 per unit end.

Washington County's administrative leader isn't sold on any machine "that doesn't keep a paper record of every vote cast."

While Morgan and Fuchs returned from Austin after Tuesday's meeting on "Help America Vote," County Clerk/election coordinator Beth Rothermel and Judy Tiemann from her staff remain there for further election seminars.

Just one thing is certain today, Morgan said, "(Rothermel) has decided not to buy even one new machine for the November elections.

The reasoning, obviously, is "too many unknowns" presently, and the general election is just a few months away

However, whatever final rules are put in place, it is apparent that each Texas county will be required to follow the new law by 2006 elections.