From Deseret News archives:
A big leap for Utah voters
Smart move. A lot of those states had problems with new electronic voting machines, and a few of them identified important things few people had thought of before, such as the need to provide paper printouts to confirm a vote.
But now it's Utah's turn. A federal law clearly gives the state no choice.
This Wednesday, the state will conduct a public test of four machines that are vying for the contract to handle Utah's election needs. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the South Towne Mall, anyone of voting age will be allowed to take the machines for a test drive, participate in a mock election and leave comments and impressions behind for state officials to consider.
Whichever machine wins the bid will be the one you face on Election Day 2006. As we're wont to remind people often, all citizens of voting age have a duty to educate themselves on issues and candidates and cast a ballot in a real election. But while they don't have a similar obligation to participate in this mock election to test new equipment, it is clearly in voters' best interest to do so if at all possible.
Were it not for the Help America Vote Act, which grew out of Florida's problems, Utah would have no reason to make such a large and expensive switch. Florida's problems had more to do with the use of the wrong card stock on punch ballots than anything else. Utah experienced a similar hanging-chad incident years ago and quickly learned the lesson. Since then, things have run smoothly and, within an acceptable margin of error, accurately.
But it does little good to raise a fuss at this point, and the new law does require some changes that make sense. For example, handicapped citizens must be able to vote without compromising their right to a secret ballot. That hasn't always been the case in the past.
The new equipment is expected to cost the state about $27 million, with all but $7 million of that supplied by the federal government. Elections traditionally are administered by counties. Not surprisingly, Utah's counties worry they will be stuck holding the bill.
State lawmakers need to accept that payment responsibility, instead. Meanwhile, no Utah county should try to opt out of this change because of such concerns. Like it or not, 21st century voting is here. The best choice is to go to the South Towne Mall on Wednesday and make your voice heard.
Comments
- Look, Tiger, we need you to man up 8:23 p.m.
- Shaun White nearly perfect in halfpipe 8:18 p.m.
- Woods to take leave from golf 8:12 p.m.
- SL Co. to consider gay protections 7:38 p.m.
- High school football: All-region teams 6:35 p.m.
- Aunt shouldn't enable drug habit 6:30 p.m.
- Dr. explains Mitchell review change 6:12 p.m.
- Stephanopoulos moves to GMA 6:09 p.m.
- DVDs include 'Stanwyck' and 'Ted' 6:07 p.m.
- Cool or hot, souls share same core 6:04 p.m.
- Letters: Global warming a lie
276 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
207 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
195 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
169 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
151 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
143 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
137 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
130 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110
Can you tell I just got out of a budget meeting with Gov Gary Herbert?
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
I never understand the complaints when a coach leaves. Haven't you ever...
a FAVOR?!?!? How is keeping the REAL best team in the country (TCU) out of...
As a Utahn, have to pull for the home state! and Go Cougars! ... Is it...
To: What about our own rights? Please give examples of how our right to...
Come on folks. The Royal Blue was great, back in 1984, and it was cute for...
Throughout its history Division I football has yet to determine a national...
I am comfortable arguing that Mitchell should be locked away regardless of...
Although it might be good to go to a playoff system in College Football, I...
I am an Aggie fan BYU fans need to worry about their own games and not Utah...
A400M is replacing 50-year old versions of C-130. The updated C-130 has been...


You can be the first to comment on this story.