Computer voting to be evaluated by resident group.
Amarillo-Globe News. February 22, 2005. By BETH WILSON

Computer voting is coming to Amarillo, but in what form and how much counties will have to pay are still undecided.

Provisions of the Help America Vote Act enacted in 2002 require counties to have at least one computerized voting machine accessible to people with disabilities by January 2006.

Federal funds will funnel through the state to pay for machines, voter education and staff training, but it's unclear how much counties will have to put up.

"I'm hoping that a lot - I can't even give a percentage on how much - but a lot of the money is going to be reimbursed by the government," said Randall County Clerk Sue Bartolino.

Bartolino has been looking into what system would be best, but has yet to purchase anything because federal election officials haven't decided on all the requirements or the reimbursements.

"We really don't know yet because we don't know what direction we're going yet," she said.

Bartolino said counties of her size, with about 30 polling locations, could need up to $400,000 for the machines.

The federal law requires at least one accessible computer voting system in each polling place, but allows for continued use of the existing paper systems.

"It just depends on how far our government money will go," Bartolino said.

In preparation for these purchases, Bartolino will ask Randall County commissioners today to establish a committee of county residents to help determine which system would suite the county best.

One brand Bartolino is considering is Hart InterCivic's eSlate voting machine. The machines are already online in Travis and Harris counties.

According to a joint Web site between the counties and Hart, the machines were first used in Harris County in 2001 for early voting and were in all polling locations in November 2002. In Travis County, voters first used the machines in November 2002 and they were in all polling locations in 2003.

Voters use the small machine, the size of a legal pad and weighing 5.2 pounds, with a rotary wheel to highlight their ion on the screen then press the enter button. When completed, the screen shows a review of the votes before voters press the red "cast ballot" button.

The machine meets the federal requirements that a voter be permitted to view the votes, change the votes and be notified if more than one choice is ed, and provide a paper record of the votes.

Hart's Web site also says the machine is easier for those with profound disabilities to use than touch screens and is easier to maintain.

Randall Review
Randall County commissioners will consider forming a group to review voting systems at 9 a.m. today in County Square North Courtroom, 400 16th Street, Canyon.