Blackwell Plans To Lead Public Information Effort's Media Tour
$15.3 Million Campaign Will Explain State's New Voting System

POSTED: 12:54 am EST March 4, 2004
UPDATED: 12:55 am EST March 4, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell could be featured in part of a $15.3 million public information campaign to explain to Ohio voters how new voting systems work.

A proposal that the state Controlling Board will consider Monday describes the voter education campaign as focus groups, phone surveys, television spots and a "campaign-style media tour" featuring Blackwell.

The "Help Ohio Vote" campaign could also include paycheck s and direct mail to every voting-age resident of Ohio.

Burson-Marsteller, a New York public relations firm, would run the campaign.

Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said the 18-month effort would occur well before Ohioans elect their next governor in 2006. He said Ohio's new voting machines would be in place no later than November 2005.

LoParo said the campaign is not intended to promote Blackwell, a Republican who possibly could be a candidate for governor in 2006. LoParo said the public information campaign will be subject to federal audit.

Three makers of electronic voting machines have signed contracts with the state to replace punch-card and lever voting devices that must be scrapped under a new law requiring d equipment.

The Help America Vote Act, passed by Congress after the problem-plagued Florida vote in the 2000 election, requires states to replace punch-vote and lever systems with electronic machines or scanners.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press.