Blumenthal argues to keep lever voting machines
 Associated Press

Published October 7 2005

HARTFORD, Conn. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is disputing a federal opinion that could force Connecticut to replace its 3,300 lever-style voting machines before the 2006 gubernatorial election.

In an advisory opinion issued in September, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that the mechanical voting machines don't comply with federal law.

This week, Blumenthal argued in a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice that Connecticut's machines do comply and should not be replaced before next year's election. The letter was released Friday.

If local election leaders can't use the old lever machines, they'll be forced - in a matter of months - to acquire more modern voting machines such as touch screen or optical devices that scan ballots filled in by hand.

It's unclear where the state would get the money for the new machines.

The commission, which advises states on complying with the federal Help America Vote Act, found several problems with the lever voting machines.

For example, they do not produce printed records as required by the Help America Vote Act. Such paper records are necessary for recounts.

The lever machines can only provide ballots in a limited number of languages and don't allow private voting for many people with disabilities, requiring them to seek assistance from poll workers.

But Blumenthal argues that the commission misinterpreted requirements under the federal act.

It's up to the U.S. Department of Justice to decide whether to require Connecticut and other states with lever voting machines to switch to the new types of devices.