http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=408348&category=ALBANY&BCCode=&newsdate=10/13/2005
timesunion.com
Paper
ballots get the vote for accuracy
Election
reform discussed [a second topic has been omitted by
wheresthepaper.org]
By CAROL DeMARE, Staff writer
October 13, 2005
ALBANY -- Nearly 20 speakers addressed county legislators
Tuesday, voicing support for a new voting system using paper ballots and
optical scanners and opposition to the disbanding of the county's crime victims
center.
Several members of the League of Women Voters said their
organization researched various machines and found the optical scan to be
secure, accurate, recountable and accessible.
Under the Help America Vote Act, counties must replace
lever-voting machines by the first federal election in 2006, which will be the
September primary.
Aimee Allaud, the statewide League of Women Voters election
and government specialist, and a member of the league's Albany County chapter,
asked the local lawmakers to form a committee from a cross-section of the
community to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of
equipment available.
County Executive Michael Breslin's tentative budget for 2006
includes $1.6 million to replace the machines. The cost will be charged back to
county municipalities, all of which will use the new system. The 39-member
County Legislature has the final say on adopting the budget.
League member Phyllis Goldstein said the paper ballot and
scanner technique "is as easy as filling out a state lottery ticket,"
one of which she held up. Goldstein said paper ballots are less expensive and
more accurate than purchasing electronic touch-screen or push button machines.
>>snip<<
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