Paper ballots staying
County not switching to electronic voting yet

By JASON KOSENA
JasonKosena@coloradoan.com

Amid a brewing national debate over the accuracy and reliability of electronic voting machines, voters in Larimer County will continue to use paper ballots for the August primary and November general election.

County officials say that until forced by federal law they will not buy or use electronic voting machines. Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, all precincts in America are required by law to have touch-screen machines by 2006.

"Right now, we use a paper ballot, which is run through an optical screen. I think my voters are happy with that," said Scott Doyle, Larimer County clerk and recorder. "Until I'm forced by federal law to adopt (electronic voting machines), I'm not going to."

Adding fuel to the debate over electronic vs. paper ballots, the League of Women Voters has debated the importance of a "paper trail" to backup electronic voting machines in case of disputes or computer glitches.

Some Colorado members of the League of Women Voters were frustrated with the national organization's original support of electronic voting machines that lacked a paper backup.

The League compromised at a recent national meeting in Washington, D.C., according to Lori Young, president of the Colorado League of Women Voters.

The League now "supports the implementation of voting systems and procedures that are secure, accurate, recountable and accessible,'" Young said.

The compromise doesn't mean the League is going to advocate a paper trail to accompany electronic voting machines, but stands more as a promise to look at different technologies being developed to ensure every vote is counted, she said.

Dixie Schmatz, an administrative team member with the Larimer County League of Women Voters attended the conference in Washington.

"Our league was not one of the ones who were irate about the (voting machines)," she said. "We were able to tell people what we're doing in Larimer County and show the success we have. That's one of the reasons why we are not as upset as other chapters, because the voting system here is so good, we could brag about it."

Doyle openly worried about who would pay to implement the new electronic voting system, which costs $5,000 per precinct.

Because the Help America Vote Act doesn't provide full funding to meet the mandate, county taxpayers would be left to foot the bill, he said.

"I have to be honest with you, I don't think we're going to get (much) money from the state. (Under the act) you are required to have touch-screen machines, but as it stands right now, it's an unfunded mandate," Doyle said. "It will fall on the shoulders of the Larimer County taxpayers in the end."

Colorado hasn't suffered from the same types of problems that plagued Florida in the 2000 election.

"We haven't had complaints in overwhelming numbers," Doyle said. "We believe that our system is good and strong," he said. "At this point, I think we're going to be doing the minimum requirements of (the Help America Vote Act), but if I start to hear people are wanting (touch-screens) we will take a look at it."