Joy Swearingen   Hancock County Journal-Pilot   09 January 2008

Hancock County Clerk Kerry Asbridge is requesting the U.S. Department of Justice investigate Election Systems and Software Company of Omaha, Neb., Asbridge said. “Election Systems and Software has consistently engaged in deceptive business practices concerning Hancock County, Illinois. It is time for it to stop.

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

Election Systems and Software manufactures the M-100 optical scan voting machine, and the Auto Mark handicapped voting machine. The company provides ongoing computer software support and programming services.

Asbridge gives three specific examples where taxpayers are being abused.

“First, the costs of ballots and software in 2002 were approximately $11,500 in the 2002 Primary election. I expect those costs to exceed $50,00 for the 2008 Primary election.

“Second, my staff has electronically submitted data according to Election Systems and Software standards three times for this election. Each time, the company has told us they changed the requirements retroactively without informing the customer. They offered to accept our submitted data for an additional fee. This also causes delays.

“Third, the Auto Mark voting machines were a federal mandate. It seems peculiar the purchase price of $5,000 each was identical to the full grant. County taxpayers bear all ongoing costs of storage, trans-portation, maintenance and computer programming.”

Asbridge said there are 266 ballot styles for the Feb. 5 election. Voters may experience delays in absentee voting availability. Election Systems and Software had not started printing ballots as of Tuesday.