Touch-screen vote foes plan rally

By JAMES MILLER
Volusia News-Journal   May 18, 2005

With two weeks to go before a contract for touch screen voting machines goes before the County Council, opponents will hit the streets in DeLand Thursday for what they're hoping will be the "biggest rally ever held in Volusia County."

Protesters plan set up shop on West New York Avenue near the historic courthouse at 3:30 p.m. to protest Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall's purchase of 210 touch screen voting machines made by Texas-based Diebold Election Systems.

Intended to meet a state requirement for voting equipment accessible to disabled voters, the touch screens do not use a paper ballot like that used by the county's existing voting system. While the machines will be used alongside the existing system, opponents argue that they are vulnerable to fraud and breakdown. Without a "voter verifiable paper trail" a paper ballot or something like it that voters can check at the polls a true recount can't be conducted, they say.

"It's not a Democrat or Republican issue, it's an American issue. It's the foundation of our democracy," said organizer Jack Wrightington. "The ability to vote and not only have that vote count but to know in your heart that your vote was counted properly that's the heart of democracy."

McFall said the final contract is likely to go before the council June 2.