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Glitch occurs in City's electronic election ballot
Software for ballot can cause shortening or removal of candidates' last names on the summary screen; glitch not to be fixed by Election Day

Max Hall, Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Voters in Charlottesville, Alexandria and Falls Church may be in for a surprise when they reach the end of their electronic ballot Nov. 7. Hart InterCivic brand voting machines, which will be used in these cities for the upcoming midterm election, have altered the last names of some candidates on the ballot's summary screen.

According to a statement from Hart InterCivic, the software in use "has a font-size limitation only on the summary screen that causes longer names to truncate."

Candidates' full names still appear on the ballot itself, but last names may be shortened or removed on the summary screen, which displays the voter's choices on the earlier portions of the ballot so that the voter can verify his or her choices before the ballot is cast, according to the release.

The display problem cannot be fixed before the Nov. 7 election due to federal and state elections regulations.

"Any new voting changes have to go through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, independent labs and then, finally, the state, and it's finally at the state now," said Charlottesville City Registrar Sheri Iachetta.

In addition, Jean Jensen, secretary of the Virginia State Board of Elections said that Hart InterCivic did not apply for a software correction until after in-person absentee voting began.

"Once you've started that process, you cannot amend the system," Jensen said.

Iachetta said the current glitch will be repaired after this election, and the revamped software will then be used for the elections in 2007.

Officials said they have taken efforts to make voters aware of the issue and to assure them that this glitch does not affect the way in which votes are tallied.

"There will be signs in every voting booth that on the ballot screen, the names will be fully spelled out," Jensen said. "If you're curious about how you voted, you can press the back button and go back to any of the separate ballot pages" to verify each individual choice.

Charlottesville has used Hart InterCivic voting machines since 2002, and the city has dealt with the same display glitch before. However, Iachetta said she does not expect any problems to arise from the altered display screen.

"To me, it's a non-issue in Charlottesville," Iachetta said. "We've had 11 elections with this machine, and everybody who has cast their vote has had their vote counted."

Jensen said despite this glitch, electronic voting is safe and measures are in place to prevent anyone from hacking into the voting system.

"So far all we have seen are laboratory examples where none of the election precautions are in place," she said. "It's a little like if I give you the keys to my car, then of course you can steal it; but if I have my car locked in my garage which is locked and has an alarm system, it will be much harder for you to steal it."



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