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New machines pine plains ny Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8285092&BRD=1706&PAG=461&dept_id=72001&rfi=6http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8285092&BRD=1706&PAG=461&dept_id=72001&rfi=6
No 'hanging chads' in Pine Plains
By: Alexandra Micancin 06/12/2003
New electronic voting machines pose no problems in Pine Plains school district elections/budget vote
"That's it?" "That was easy." "Are you sure my vote was cast?"
Those were the most common comments from voters at Stissing Mountain Middle-Senior High School during last Tuesday's school district elections and budget vote.
Voters were surprised at the simplicity of using the new voting machines. "The machines are working out fantastic, with no problems. We are pleased to have them," Schools Superintendent Richard Mahar said of the electronic machines.
One voter used the term "popcorn" for how simple it was to vote. After that, whenever a vote was cast, two dings were let out and one of the voting registrars would yell out "popcorn."
"Popcorn" would then be repeated around the room and everyone would laugh. There were no problems reported with the machines for the eight hours they were in operation.
Mario and Gertie Orrino of Pine Plains were the first voters to use the new machines, when polls opened at 1 p.m. "We're always early for everything," said Gertie Orrino, who has been a voter for 30 years. She was not aware that the new machines were to be used. "Mr. Mahar said, 'Do you know we have new machines?' He showed us the machines. They were very easy to use and self-explanatory. It took 20 seconds (to vote). It was wonderful. You don't have to pull the lever," she added.
Sequoia Voting Systems' electronic voting machines have been in use for 15 years and are made in Owego. They have gained more importance since the 2000 presidential elections when various voting methods used by counties in Florida - such as the butterfly ballot and punch cards - caused confusion and some votes were improperly counted.
In December, Congress mandated that by 2006 all states must have electronic voting machines, under the Help America Vote Act. Several other companies also make the machines and are negotiating with states throughout the nation.
The machines are easy to operate and have the same ballot that you would see in an old lever style machine. Your finger touches the vote you want to cast, and a red "X" appears. Write-in votes are typed on a small keypad, eliminating the problem of messy, unreadable handwriting.
You can correct your vote by touching a different candidate or option on the ballot. When you are finished voting, you push the red button located in the far corner and you hear two dings. Voila: Your vote has been cast.
There are several advantages to the electronic machines. Seniors do not have trouble pulling over the lever. They are equipped with audio headphones for the hearing impaired. They are also lighter to move. One of the biggest advantages is that the machines tabulate the votes cast, eliminating human error.
Mahar stressed what valuable teaching tools the voting machines are for students. When asked at the school board meeting on June 4 if the school would purchase the machines, the answer was "not yet."
Mahar explained that the new machines are extremely costly. In the past, the district could borrow them from the towns. Due to the Help America Voting Act passed last December, towns will no longer own their own machines. Counties will own the machines, funded by the federal government, and store them in a secure facility. On Election Day, the machines will be delivered to the polling
places.
That could create problems for some school districts, like Pine Plains, which straddles two counties.
The school board plans to talk to BOCES about having a cooperative system for all students in Dutchess County to use the new machines. This should help cut down on the costs of purchasing a new machine.
Electronic voting machines are a taste of the future - now. Since the 2000 presidential election, sales have skyrocketed. People recognized the importance of having reliable and accurate vote counts. Electronic machines provide this reliability. Here in Pine Plains, the sneak preview of the machines seemed to receive a warm welcome.
ŠThe Register Herald 2003
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