Chuck Gysi      Macomb Journal   09 January 2008

Hancock County's clerk said that escalating costs incurred by the county from an election vendor has forced him to call for a federal investigation of the firm.

County Clerk Kerry Asbridge has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Election Systems and Software Co. of Omaha, Neb., which provides election technology to the county.

"Election Systems and Software has consistently engaged in deceptive business practices concerning Hancock County," he said. "It's time for it to stop."
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The firm manufactures the M-100 optical scan voting machine used in the county, as well as the Auto Mark handicapped voting machine. The company also provides ongoing computer software support and programming services for the equipment on a countywide basis.

In making his arguments about the firm, Asbridge cites three examples where Hancock County's taxpayers are being abused:

n Ballots and software for the 2002 primary cost the county $11,500. Costs are expected to exceed $50,000 for the 2008 primary, Asbridge claims.

n The county clerk's office has electronically submitted data in accordance with Election Systems and Software standards three times for the upcoming primary. Each time, Asbridge said the firm changed requirements retroactively without informing the county.

"They offered to accept out submitted data - for an additional fee," Asbridge said. "This also causes delays."

n The county was required to purchase the Auto Mark handicapped voting machines because of a federal mandate.

"It seems peculiar the purchase price of $5,000 each was identical to the full grant allowance," Asbridge said in a news release. "County taxpayers bear all ongoing costs of storage, transportation, maintenance and computer programming."

The rising costs are a concern for Asbridge.

"We, Hancock County, absorb the costs," he said. "And we are stuck with delays. We have 266 ballot styles for this election on Feb. 5. Voters can certainly expect delays in absentee voting availability. Election Systems and Software has not started printing our ballots yet.

"Technology is supposed to cut costs and save time. Out state and federal governments have been complacent while companies like Election Systems and Software have used the technology mandates to increase county costs fourfold and multiply the time required to do election tasks."