Voting technology impresses Utahns

By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune    31 March 2005 
SANDY - Lapreal Marriam had never voted on a computer before Wednesday.
   "It was easy," the Riverton resident said after participating in a mock election held to garner input on what equipment Utah should purchase to replace its aging punch-card devices. Marriam, a longtime election judge, favored the machines where voters just touch a name on a screen to vote.
   "Anybody who can use a computer can use this," Marriam said.
   Hundreds of Utahns waited in line to try four different voting devices at the South Towne Center in Sandy. After voting for a slate of candidates, mainly famous people or past politicians, residents filled out surveys on what they thought of the new devices, two of which were computer tablets and two optical-scan technology.
   The results of the surveys won?t be released publicly, but will weigh in the decision of a Voting Equipment Selection Committee, which is expected to name its pick in the next two months. Ultimately, the choice rests with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, the state?s chief elections officer.
   Herbert said the survey results won?t do much to sway him; not after both   vendors seeking the state?s $20.5 million contract complained the other was stacking the deck with voters.
   "They?re both jockeying," Herbert said. "There?s a lot of money on the table."
   Diebold Election Systems and Election Systems and Software denied inviting anyone to vote in their favor.
   Regardless, residents were excited to check out the systems, one of which likely will be in place next year for all or most voters to use. Some voters may even see new voting equipment in place for municipal elections this fall.  
  "It?s easier and if you make a mistake you can go back and change it," said 45-year-old Lucille Lake, of Murray.
   Ron Weenig, of Salt Lake City, liked the touch-screen machines, saying, "The quicker they get it into action, the better."
   Jo-Ann Wong, of the Millcreek Township, liked the optical scan devices, which essentially mirror a standardized test in high school. "I really want a paper trail," she said.
   That?s actually required by law now. Lawmakers mandated that in the state?s switch to new voting technology, 
the devices print some type of voter-verifiable paper copy, which will be stored in case of a recount. The touch-screen machines tried by Utahns on Wednesday didn?t include a printer, but both vendors can attach one to their machines.
   West Jordan?s Trent Florence, who is visually impaired, inspected technology that allows him to a candidate by listening to an audio prompt. Visually impaired voters in Utah have had to trust a friend, relative or poll worker to vote.
   "That?s the thing I?m excited about," Florence said. "I don?t have to disclose my ballot out in   public."