Voting machines raising concerns
 
 
By: DAVID OWENS    Clarksdale Press Register   August 24, 2005 
 
 
Seventy six of the state's 82 counties opted into the new touch-screen voting machine system by Friday's deadline.
However, in many counties including Coahoma, supervisors didn't see much choice in the matter.
District 1 Supervisor Paul Pearson said he hoped the new machines wouldn't discourage residents from voting.  

     
"People are calling them computers, but they are really more like touch-screens," he said. "Our job is going to be to educate people. We don't want anybody not to vote because of the new voting machines."
Pearson said he hoped there would be a smooth transition between old and new machines.
"The ones we had worked," he said. "They were built in the '70s and were mechanical and bulky, but people weren't afraid to use them.
"We don't want people not voting because they're not sure how these machines work," Pearson added. "We'll do our part to get them educated."
District 4 Supervisor Johnny Newson said he has confidence in what Secretary of State Eric Clark has suggested.
"I'm sure (he) will make sure all the kinks are worked out and he'll be the first to scream bloody murder against Diebold," Newson said regarding possible problems.
"We really had no alternative but to accept," he said. "If we didn't accept, we would be on a losing streak and be responsible for purchasing the machines."
Newson said the county would be doing an injustice if it chose to "opt out."
"We'll do the best we can and go with the flow," he said. "It's a trial run for the entire state."
In a Friday release, Clark said he was happy to see so many counties join the effort.
"I am delighted that the vast majority of our counties have decided to take these voting machines," he said. "They will produce the most accurate election results in the history of Mississippi."
Clark said five counties opted in by not supplying any paperwork by the deadline including Calhoun, Jefferson, Jones, Monroe and Wilkinson.
Six counties provided documentation to opt out of the plan including Desoto, Hinds, Jackson, Lee, Rankin and Yalobusha.
In June, Mississippi contracted with Diebold Election Systems to purchase up to 5,164 voting machines under the federal "Help America Vote Act."
The state will use some $15 million in federal and state funds to purchase those machines.
Diebold's touch-screen machines (AccuVote-TSX) won an extensive bid process and received certification through the National Association of State Election Directors.
Under federal law, all central scanner, lever and punch-card machines must be replaced by January 1.
At least one device that is fully handicap accessible must also be provided.
Touch-screen machines are the most disabled accessible machines available, Clark said.