Bids for new voting system open today

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune

    Utahns are edging closer to casting their ballots on new voting equipment, but it may not be the electronic systems that have alarmed critics nationwide.
    The state will start seeking bids today from vendors vying for a $20.5 million contract to provide some type of new voting machines. The new system is expected to be in polling precincts in time for next year's municipal elections.
    Utah's bid specifications show the state is shopping for a "voting solution" to replace its punch-card system. But they do not say the equipment has to be electronic such as the touch-screen computers that are causing concern among voters, politicians, policy-makers and computer experts.
    "We're leaving all options open," State Elections Director Amy Naccarato said Thursday. "It very well may not be [electronic equipment]. We need at least one electronic machine for people with disabilities, but it could be some type of optical scan or other equipment."
    Utah is one of the last states to switch from the decade-old punch-card machines to a new way of casting ballots. According to the Election Reform Information Project, 42 states will have new machines statewide or in some jurisdictions for this year's general election, leaving Utah among a handful that still will use punch cards.
    The federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA), prompted by the chad-tainted 2000 presidential election, requires, among other things, that states have new equipment allowing voters to verify their choices and change their minds. It offers federal money to replace punch cards and mandates that each polling location offer a voting device that allows disabled voters to cast ballots without assistance.
    Some officials, including Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, want to stick with punch cards, which have yet to cause any major problems in Utah. But Swensen, who is part of the ion committee, says she welcomes the chance to examine new machines.
    "Whatever we do, I think it's extremely important that if we're going to make a change, that it's for the better," Swensen said.
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    The bid specifications require that the new machines comply with HAVA and also be:
    * Secure and accurate so that the machines record and report each vote cast, detect and correct any errors, and "retain votes prior to a system failure, should one occur."
    * Able to accommodate specific Utah election issues, such as closed primaries, write-in votes, straight-party voting and split precincts.
    * Easy to use for voters, poll workers and election officials.
    * Capable of allowing election officials to define and create ballots and print and extract records. The vendor also must provide training and education.
    Vendors will be evaluated on several criteria, the most important of which will be cost, followed by security and accuracy. The two vendors scoring highest in that evaluation will demonstrate their equipment in a mock election.
    tburr@sltrib.com
   
   
   Timeline for a newer voting system:
   
   * Today State seeks bids for state contract to provide new equipment.
   
   * Aug. 9 Last day for vendors to submit bids.
   
   * November State committee chooses a new system.
   
   * December: Contract negotiations with vendor.
   
   * Municipal elections in 2005: Voters get their first chance to cast ballots on the new machines.
  
   
    The "Computer Ate My Vote" Rally
   
   * A group calling for verifiable paper ballots to be included with new voting equipment will stage a rally Tuesday on the steps of the Utah Capitol, part of a nationwide effort to spread the word about changes in casting ballots. Speakers will include Utah and national advocates who want to require paper records of ballots. The rally begins at 11 a.m.