October 05, 2006

"Secretary of state rivals differ on voting machines"

"Minutes after Bruce McPherson was sworn in as secretary of state last year, he made a promise to employees of the agency that oversees California elections:

"I will not let you down."

The Santa Cruz Republican assumed a troubled office after the resignation of Democrat Kevin Shelley amid allegations of misspending and mismanagement that prompted investigations but no criminal charges.

McPherson said he has kept his promise -- restoring stability, creating a statewide voter database, overseeing two elections, setting standards for electronic voting machines and persuading the federal government to release $169 million in election funds.

"I'm running on a series of significant accomplishments, as well as a clear vision for the future," he said of his campaign for a new four-year term.

His opponent, state Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Marina del Rey, sees it differently.

"He's been a major disappointment," she said.

Bowen characterizes McPherson as an administrative bumbler whose missteps could jeopardize faith in accurate ballot counting as the state wrestles with performance, auditing and security issues surrounding electronic voting machines.

Bowen noted that McPherson initially dropped the Peace and Freedom Party from the June primary ballot, then reversed himself days later.

He initially imposed rigid voter database standards, then loosened them under fire, but not before up to 26,000 Los Angeles County residents were denied registration or re-registration for the primary, she said, citing figures provided by the county.

"He's made a series of major errors," Bowen said.

Ashley Giovannettone, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state's office, said Bowen's account leaves out some important facts: Anyone whose registration was clouded during the database's creation could cast a provisional ballot.

No voters complained, she said.

"All evidence supports the fact that every ballot cast by an eligible voter was counted and recorded," she said.

McPherson said he tries hard to listen and respond to legitimate concerns.

"God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason, because you should listen twice as much as you talk," he said.

Bowen said voters have a clear choice on Nov. 7.

"I'm an innovator, not a caretaker," she said.

The article is here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at October 5, 2006 08:49 AM