January 25, 2006

"San Mateo County seeks OK for all-mail voting"

"San Mateo County leaders Tuesday began pushing for emergency legislation to allow the June primary election to be conducted strictly by mail because the secretary of state's office hasn't certified an electronic voting machine the county had planned to use.

Under current law, counties can offer absentee ballots, but cannot conduct an entire election by mail.

But faced with mounting pressure to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act -- which requires at least one electronic voting machine at each polling place for disabled voters -- the county wants the backup option of using mail ballots, which could prevent lawsuits.

About 20 counties have expressed interest in the legislation, said Warren Slocum, San Mateo County's chief elections officer.

Posted by Randy Riddle at January 25, 2006 09:26 AM