[This resolution was passed on December 6, 2006 – wheresthepaper.org]

RESOLUTION NO. 330-2006

RESOLUTION - URGING THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE OTSEGO COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

TO PROMPTLY CERTIFY AN OPTICAL SCAN

VOTING SYSTEM FOR PROCUREMENT BY THE COUNTY

BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND URGING SAID COMMISSIONERS

TO SELECT AN OPTICAL SCAN SYSTEM AS THE NEW

VOTING TECHNOLOGY IN THE COUNTY OF OTSEGO

WHEREAS, the Federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) requires states to modernize elections and undertake measures to increase voter participation; and

WHEREAS, New York State enacted the Election Reform and Modernization Act (ERMA) in order to comply with HAVA; and

WHEREAS, ERMA requires local Boards of Elections to select new voting technology to replace the mechanical lever machines that are currently used throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, under ERMA, local Boards may select either a Precinct Based/Optical Scan (PB/OS) voting system or a Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting system; and

WHEREAS, this Board believes that for reasons of simplicity and ease of use, accuracy in the recording and tabulation of votes, cost of initial procurement and maintenance, greater ease in transportation and storage, and the level of technical expertise required for installation and maintenance, Optical Scanning (PB/OS) voting systems are preferable to Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting systems; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Otsego County Board of Representatives urges the Commissioners of the Otsego County Board of Elections to promptly certify said Optical Scan voting system for procurement by the Otsego County Board of Elections and urges said Commissioners to select an Optical Scan System as the new voting technology for the County of Otsego.