Public involved in voting machines ion

Gary R. Herbert    Opinion   Provo Daily Herald   06 May 2005

I read with interest the recent article in the Daily Herald by Kathy Dopp of Utah Count Votes. Let me set the record straight.

Dopp's assertion that "Utah residents apparently don't get much of a say" regarding Utah's ion of voting equipment is patently false. 
 
Since I assumed the office of lieutenant governor in January, I have publicly invited comment via every major media outlet in the state, as well as many smaller media groups; testified before the state Legislature; hosted a 'Mock Election' for public participation; held an open-forum public meeting; and welcomed formal and informal comment from Utahns all around the state to gather input on this matter. The formal comment period ended at 5 p.m. April 27, and informal comment is always accepted.

Likewise, Lt. Govs. Olene S. Walker and Gayle McKeachnie worked tirelessly to incorporate public sentiment into any decision-making process. In addition, our administrations have spent more than two years working closely with local government officials, the experts who actually run elections.

To accuse either the Leavitt, Walker or Huntsman administrations of conspiring to make this decision in a vacuum is not only wrong, it appears to be purposely misleading.

Dopp also charges "a number of lobbyists have been pushing for the state to use electronic, touch-screen voting machines." Since my election, the Elections Office and I have met with only one advocate on any voting equipment issue: Kathy Dopp of Utah Count Votes. Of interest is that both vendors, including the vendor endorsed by Dopp in her article, offer electronic voting machines as viable options for compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

The voting equipment ion process is technical, tedious and time consuming. A federally underfunded mandate, coupled with the state's procurement laws, exacerbates the difficulty. The Voting Equipment Selection Committee is comprised of professionals, elected officials and technology experts from varied backgrounds who have worked tirelessly with no pay to assist my office with this decision. I appreciate the committee's support, determination and willingness to tackle a tough issue, and I salute those Utahns who have been interested enough in this process to call, write or e-mail me with their helpful comments.

For questions about the process of ing voting equipment or Utah's compliance with HAVA, please feel free to contact me at (801) 538-1000 or by e-mail at gherbert@utah.gov