Touch screen OK not exactly a vote of confidence

By JAMES MILLER 
Volusia and Flagler News Journal    April 08, 2005

DELAND Pleas for a paper ballot and a reminder from the 2000 presidential recount failed to sway the Volusia County Council Thursday.

A state deadline and disabled voters long ready to cast their ballots in secret had more success.

After an almost four-hour public hearing, a mostly reluctant council paved the way with a 5-2 vote for Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall to buy 210 touch-screen voting machines.

The touch screens are meant primarily for disabled voters, but activists seeking a paper ballot or other "voter verifiable" paper records vehemently opposed them because they do not provide either.

"It is not for all the voters in this county, this state and this nation," said Councilwoman Joie Alexander before making the motion. "It is for one specific group of voters. I still want paper, and I hope this will come, but I think (disabled voters) have made their compromises."

No disabled-accessible voting equipment that provides a voter verifiable paper record has been certified for use in Florida, yet the state requires counties to have voting machines for the disabled in place for any elections after July 1.

Council members felt they had little choice. Faced a month ago with a public outcry over the paperless voting system which critics say are vulnerable to untraceable problems such as electronic fraud or machine failure the council asked state officials to extend the deadline to match the federal requirement of Jan. 1.

Neither the state nor most advocates for disabled voters budged.

County Chairman Frank Bruno, who opposed the decision along with Councilman Carl Persis, said he felt trapped between the voting machine manufacturer and the state because no other equipment is available.

"I really feel like it's extortion," Bruno said. "The people of Volusia County are not comfortable with touch screens that do not have a paper trail."

The purchase will not be final until it comes back before the council June 2.

The touch screens help blind voters who can listen to ballot ions and make their votes using a key-pad.

More than 40 people pleaded their cases Thursday the majority seeking a paper ballot.

Retired County Judge Michael McDermott, who chaired the county's canvassing board during the 2000 presidential election recount, said paper ballots provided a crucial fallback when memory cards failed.

He suggested the council take the issue to federal court drawing a standing ovation from paper ballot activists but County Attorney Daniel Eckert advised the council to comply with existing law.

Council members said they hoped to get a printer made by Diebold Election Systems, which also makes the touch screens. A Diebold representative said the printer could go to the state for review in as little as a few weeks.

Advocates for the disabled welcomed the decision.

"Moved to tears," Irene Moses, a disability consultant who uses a wheelchair, said in describing her reaction. "This has been years working on accessible voting."

Ron Careen, a well-known local activist, had a different take.

"They (council members) have absolutely no spine," he said, stressing that he spoke only for himself and no organization. "They are not doing the will of the people at all."