Volusia balks at paperless voting system

By JAMES MILLER     News-Journal 

March 11, 2005

When Volusia County elections officials had to recount votes after the 2000 presidential election, they had ballots they could hold in their hands.

Faced with a state deadline that could force the county to purchase its first paperless voting system, the County Council on Thursday sent a unanimous message.

Not so fast.

The council balked at Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall's request to buy 210 touchscreen voting machines. The machines are intended for use by disabled voters, but a roomful of protesters urged the council to wait, fearing the new machines would ultimately replace the county's current optical-scan, paper-ballot system and leave Volusia without a "paper trail" to settle disputes.

"This is about whether we have a verification of your vote, that's what it's about, not who won or lost the election," said Councilman Dwight Lewis. "It's about honesty, I believe, and doing the right thing."

Ultimately, the county might not have a choice, McFall said. The state requires every county to have machines in place that disabled voters can use without assistance for elections after July 1.

State elections officials have approved the touchscreen machines manufactured by Diebold Election Systems. Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Peggy Rae Border said she plans to have the Diebold equipment for disabled voters before the state's deadline.

But Volusia officials prefer another system that uses paper ballots like the system they have now. That system hasn't been approved by the state yet, and a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Glenda Hood said there's no way to know when it might be.

McFall said she would only add the touchscreen machines to the current system not replace the current system. She also said touchscreen machine results are secure and verifiable, and while the machines would be intended for disabled voters, they'd be available to all.

The council asked County Attorney Dan Eckert to review the state's deadline and directed Chairman Frank Bruno inform legislators the council wants the state to extend the deadline to match a January 2006 federal deadline.

"I think we owe the public, we owe everyone at least that much," said Councilman Carl Persis.

The council's decision is likely to delay the inevitable, McFall said, because the state has already confirmed its deadline.

In general, disabled advocates have opposed any move that could push back the deadline. Thursday, a representative of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida said his group would not favor any delay.

But Councilwoman Joie Alexander, who served on the county's canvassing board for the 2004 general election, said it's worth fighting for machines that have a paper ballot.

"We might come back and we might be in the same spot we're in now . . ." she said, "but at least we can all feel that we have overturned every stone in doing that."

In other business, the council:

? Delayed until March 24 a decision about whether to appeal a court ruling in favor of Deltona on a nearly 5,000-acre annexation opposed by the county.

? Supported an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation, where FDOT will put $30,000 for a corridor management plan to determine whether State Road A1A can be designated as a Florida Scenic Highway.

? Accepted an alignment for extension of LPGA Boulevard to Tymber Creek Road at State Road 40. The 4.2-mile extension is projected to cost $16.4 million and impact 16.2 acres of wetlands.

? Approved the Volusia Growth Management Commission's request for an additional $65,000 for its 2004-2005 budget. The commission identifies conflicts between county and city growth plans when one is changed.