http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stvote305313430jul30,0,1787935.story?coll=ny-statenews-headlines
Newsday.com
BY JAMES T. MADORE
james.madore@newsday.com
July 30, 2007
ALBANY - Despite mandated changes, voters probably will use
the same antiquated lever machines deployed for decades, in the September
primary and November general elections.
The Senate and Assembly passed legislation last week
permitting the continued use of lever equipment because computerized
replacements have yet to be selected and installed. If lawmakers had not acted,
voters likely would have used paper ballots - a method not employed on Long
Island and other populous regions for several generations, lawmakers said.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Griffo (R-Rome) and
Assemb. Ann Margaret Carrozza (D-Queens), permits lever voting machines to be
used until New York complies with the federal Help America Vote Act. That could
be after the 2008 presidential elections, according to some election officials.
The legislation also requires counties to continue to
provide special voting equipment for the disabled - as was done last year for
the first time after a Justice Department lawsuit.
"It is critically important that New York State
modernize its election system to bring it up to date with new and improved
technology," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick).
"However, any new voting machines must be tested and certified in a sensible
way so that our elections continue to be fair for everyone."
The bill amended a 2005 state law barring the use of lever
machines, beginning with the Sept. 18 primary, because they aren't accessible
to the disabled. New York is the last state to implement HAVA, which seeks to
modernize voting, and increase accurate vote counts and accessibility.
Although millions of dollars in federal money has been set
aside, HAVA compliance in New York has come in fits and starts. First, the
legislature was slow to approve the necessary bill and then decided to scrap
the lever machines altogether, infuriating many voters. And county boards of
election now are waiting for the state to approve which electronic machines can
be purchased.
Griffo said, "Passage of this consensus legislation
allows New York to conduct its elections this year without placing undue burden
on our county boards of election while we continue to move forward in an effort
to update our machines and comply with HAVA."
The bill, adopted unanimously by both houses, was sent to
Gov. Eliot Spitzer for consideration. His spokeswoman said Friday that he
hadn't yet acted on it.
Copyright © 2007, Newsday Inc.