County eyes new voting machines with touch screens
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
ERIC VELASCO
News staff writer

Jefferson County residents may soon be able to vote by touching a computer screen that would confirm their desired choice and ensure they don't accidentally overlook a race.

The Jefferson County Commission will discuss the machines Thursday, said Larry Langford, the commission president. The machines, however, would not be in place in time for the Nov. 2 presidential election, officials said.

An official with South Carolina-based METS demonstrated the computers to commissioners and the news media Tuesday.

METS, which stands for Multi-Election Tasks Systems, is one of nine companies nationwide selling products that meet voting-machine standards that Congress imposed after the 2000 presidential election.

The package - which includes training, maintenance, hardware and software - would cost $5,000 per unit, depending on how many the county needs, said John W. Casey, METS' chief executive officer.

An official cost estimate has not been calculated. Casey recommended the county buy four machines for every 1,000 registered voters. With more than 369,000 registered voters, the county would need almost 1,500 machines.

But 95 percent of that estimated $7.5 million cost would be borne by the federal government under the Helping America Vote Act. It was passed to help city, county and state governments upgrade voting machines and facilities.

The county would be responsible for the other 5 percent, $375,000, which would be covered by a rebate or other consideration, Langford said.

"It's free," he said. "I like it. This will bring us into the 21st century. The government is good at giving us unfunded mandates. Here's one it will fund."

After a demonstration, Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins said she was impressed, but wanted to know more about the cost before she would commit.

The machines are activated when a person swipes a special voter-registration card or driver license. The ballot that pertains to the address on the card will appear on the screen.

Contested races include the candidate's picture, name and party affiliation. People vote by touching the appropriate place on the screen. The next window confirms the candidate ed is the one the voter desired.

People can vote a straight-party ticket. Then a window would ask them to vote on the other races on that ballot, such as constitutional amendments.

Special cards would be provided to the blind to assist them. Casey said the system is simple enough that a fifth-grade class in South Carolina could successfully vote during a demonstration at their school.

"It's almost impossible to make a mistake," Langford said. "When you have the picture of the candidate there, it's hard to accidentally punch another name, and it gives you the chance to correct your vote."