From Deseret News archives:
State urged to look at other voting methods
Public hashes Internet ballot; comments still being taken
Instead of focusing on possible security flaws in electronic voting machines, members of the Government Operations Interim Committee questioned why the state was not looking at advances such as Internet voting. Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley, said that with the cost of the reforms exceeding $25 million it only made sense to look at every possible method.
"I think we'll soon be using technology completely to vote, and we should go all the way," Goodfellow said. "It seems to me that we're using (the Internet) in so many other ways, and I don't understand why we can use it for banking and other things but we can't use it for voting."
But many people attending a public hearing this week told Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert that electronic voting machines lacked transparency and "re-countability."
"I ask you as a voter, as a constituent and as a neighbor that whatever you choose allows me to have faith in you," said Stacee Adams. "Make sure that whom I cast my vote for gets my vote."
"My concern is that the heartbeat of democracy is the vote, and the voting machine is the pump that keeps that lifeblood going," said Eric Hughes, who said he has worked as a software programmer for 22 years. "Select voting systems that are auditable externally, which reduces the motivation to alter them. Select systems that allow a live audit to avoid hazards."
Many of the speakers at this week's meeting had participated in a mock election on March 30 and evaluated four voting machines, one of which the state will probably purchase before the end of the year.
The new machines are being purchased to meet the requirements of the 2002 Help America Vote Act, which includes accessibility and security requirements that Utah's current punch card ballot system cannot meet. Most of the funding for the new machines is being provided by the federal government, although about $4 million will be needed from state and local governments for such things as training of poll workers.
During Wednesday's special legislative session, some lawmakers tested the machines and gave their input to the Utah Elections Office.
Rep. Douglas Aagard, R-Kaysville, said that testing the machines made him more comfortable with them. However, because the machines are more technologically advanced than people may be used to, the state will have to work hard to educate voters.
"Some people are not comfortable with the technology, and we will have to help them," he said.
Those who missed the meeting but who would like to comment may e-mail Herbert at gherbert@utah.gov until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com; kswinyard@desnews.com
Comments
- Jaguars rebound again 5:38 p.m.
- Bengals sweep Ravens 5:32 p.m.
- Moss overcomes Dolphins' wildcat 5:28 p.m.
- Utah man dies in Oregon crash 5:27 p.m.
- Cardinals shred Bears, 41-21 5:24 p.m.
- Rookie QB leads Bucs to 1st win 5:13 p.m.
- Colts survive Texans 5:10 p.m.
- Germany celebrates Wall falling 3:53 p.m.
- Iraq electoral law passes 3:39 p.m.
- Memorial at site of Cleveland killings 3:35 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
213 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - House passes health care bill
188 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
147 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
If the Utes lose as big to TCU as did the Y, the utes also should drop out of...
'Again, why can't the left understand that WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS!' 50% of...
USU HAS LOST DOUBLE DIGIT STARTERS THIS YEAR AT DIFFERENT POSITIONS. The kids...
Okay, TCU fans your right, this is your year. You'll probably beat the Utes,...
Sensible Scientist | 4:30 p.m. said: "Climate scientists hurt their own...
like the banks aren't the only ones who didn't change their ways. The...
It NOT up others, nor should it ever be, to determine your worth, it is up...
How many of you have actually been to the Snake Valley? I have, and have...
He did not say Chynoweth won the game for them, it says he helped them run by...
I was expecting much more talent from region 1 but they honestly weren't that...


You can be the first to comment on this story.