Touchscreen voting machine found abandoned in city
Discovery baffles officials, who say all of state's equipment is accounted for; Diebold checking serial number to track stray device
The Associated Press
 September 28, 2004, 6:25 PM EDT
ANNAPOLIS Members of the State Board of Elections were surprised to hear reports today that Diebold touchscreen voting machines similar to those used in Maryland were found abandoned recently on a street and in a bar in Baltimore.

Joseph Torre, voting systems and procurement director for the agency, confirmed that one machine was found, but assured board members it did not belong to Maryland.

"It wasn't one of ours," he said. "All 16,009 units are present and accounted for."

"That takes your breath away," board member Joan Beck said.

Torre said he was aware of only one machine being found, although election officials from Baltimore said they got a second call from someone saying he had found two machines on the sidewalk. He was told to notify the state agency, but Torre said no call was received.

Torre said the machine that was turned in did not have a state identification number on it and the serial number did not match the number of any of the machines purchased by the state.

He said Diebold Election Systems had been asked to check the serial number to try to determine where the machine might have come from.

David Bear, a Diebold spokesman, said he was not aware that a machine had been turned in.

Asked about the possible origin of the machine, Torre said, "You can buy one on eBay."