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CITIZENS HELP FAYETTE COUNTY OBTAIN VOTER-MARKED & VERIFIED PAPER BALLOTS March 3, 2008 -- Citizens in Fayette County recently helped guide their County Commissioners to a choice of voter-marked and verified paper ballots with scanners rather than spending $170,000 to purchase more Direct Record Electronic (DRE) voting machines. Concerned about long lines, the Fayette County Commissioners were considering the purchase of 55 more Hart / Intercivic eSlate DRE machines as additional equipment for the April 22 Pennsylvania Primary and the November General Election. The eSlate does not offer a voter-marked or voter-verified paper trail in Pennsylvania. In addition, many Fayette voters, especially seniors, were unhappy with the machine's "dial-a-vote" interface. Through the diligence of resident Delinda Young, other citizens in the County, and statewide members of VotePA, the Commissioners were informed of a paper ballot alternative. The eScan interfaces with software and equipment the county already owns and would allow the majority of voters to cast a paper ballot marked simply using a pencil. Commissioners and local press received facts on the performance and costs of DRE machines versus scanners in other states, as well as updates on pending legislation to require paper ballots. Several lively discussions were held on local radio talk shows and at meetings. The multipartisan informational effort was successful on February 6 when the Board voted by a 2-1 margin to purchase 113 precinct count eScan machines to cover their 103 precincts, giving the majority of Fayette County voters the opportunity to cast a true voter-marked and voter-verified paper ballot to protect their 2008 presidential and congressional choices. Here are some links to news articles regarding the Fayette County decision: 3-3-08 2-27-08 1-25-08 |