January 18, 2006

"Balloting systems still await decision"

"Local election officials around California are getting more antsy each day that the state has failed to certify the electronic voting machines they are expecting to use in June.

Counties that do not use the machines, according to a new federal law, are prone to lawsuits by disabled voters.

In a rare holiday news conference Monday, Secretary of State Bruce McPherson sought to quell the concerns of registrars, assuring them -- and voters -- that the process is moving forward and that his office would stand behind any county sued over failing to meet federal standards that take effect this year.

"We will have an election, there will be an election," McPherson said. "Whether these requirements are met or not, California voters will vote on June 6, and they're going to vote on Nov. 7 as well."

He said the state was "90 percent" in compliance with the federal act, and that his office has "looked to do everything that we can" to fully abide by the law. He gave no timeline of when the state would be able to certify the machines because vendors -- including a firm that provides equipment for Alameda and San Luis Obispo counties -- are still in the application or testing stages."

Posted by Randy Riddle at January 18, 2006 09:05 AM