The New York State Board of Elections finally approved the use of two all-electronic voting machines to replace traditional lever booths after years of delay, although a final machine must still be chosen.
The decision came on Tuesday, December 15 and was the result of nearly three years of research and testing performed by the State Board.
When the final machine is selected, New York will be the last state to switch over to electronic voting.
“Some commissioners say that it’s because New York wants to make sure it picks the right machines, where other states were too quick to pick a machine they now regret,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., who also Chairs the Senate’s Elections Committee.
In a statement released on Monday December 21, Addabbo states that “these machines have been tested harder and subjected to more requirements than any system in the nation.”
However, despite the approval, the senator also believes that the phasing out of existing voting machines in favor of electronic ones could have been postponed even further.
“I had asked if we could delay the replacement due to the fiscal situation,” said Addabbo. Although the machines will be funded primarily through the Help America Vote Act, the Board of Elections will not receive enough federal money to cover the costs entirely, according to Addabbo. “Enough money must be found,” he said.
“I believe attempting to implement these machines by 2010 would lead to an unmitigated disaster,” said a source in the City Board of Elections. “There is just no way to have everyone trained in time. It’s too important an election, and the public will have to be trained in time as well,” said the source.
The decision now rests on the State Board of Elections, which has requested an estimate from the producers of the two machines, Election Systems & Software and Dominion Voting Systems Corporation, which will determine the final choice.
“We need to find out the cost-per-unit, plus the cost of training people who have been with us for a very long time using the old voting booths, on how to operate these new ones,” said Addabbo.
Despite his wish to postpone the implementation even further, a federal judge has mandated that every state must be using electronic voting booths by 2010.
While the state would not accrue fines from the federal government if the 2010 requirement is not met, the State Board of Elections would miss out on further federal funding. This would put an even greater strain on an already stretched City Board of Elections budget. “The federal government may withhold money from the state in order to pay for the machines,” said the source.
“We’re already about 4 years too late,” said Addabbo, referring to the state finally deciding on a new machine. “The fact that we have already accepted and used federal money is an acceptance of us going ahead with this system.”
The electronic machines which were chosen underwent a pilot program during the State primary in September as well as the general elections in November. According to the senator, the machines showed a minimal miscount, mainly from people inserting their ballots incorrectly.
The senator also reported that there were minor privacy issues, but that they were “easily fixed.”
“We don’t want to discourage people from voting,” said Addabbo. “The main thing is that voting is an easy and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
According to the City Board source, a decision can possibly be made as soon as December 29, when the commissioners hold their regular Tuesday meeting. However, if a decision is not made by January 5, a federal judge may make the ultimate decision.
