The E-divide

Most of the time, when you hear someone talk about the "e-divide", it generally has something to do with the comparison between those that have access to the internet in their home (own their own computer) and those that don't. In Centre county, however, e-divide refers to a different division...over what types of voting machines people want.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 was designed to help bring American voters into the new century, promising us new electronic means of voting that would help prevent voting SNAFUs (which is a great - and appropriate - acronym, by the way!), such as the "hanging chads" made infamous by the 2000 Presidential election in Florida. Gone would be the paper ballots and lever machines and in their place would be new electronic technologies. These new requirements are required to be in place by "the first federal election after January 1, 2006" - or for those of us in PA - this November.

I, for one, was optimistic that the change would help speed up the process and prevent future questions, yet cautious (as many across the state and nation were also) that electronic systems can be hacked and/or tampered with - thus making it easy for someone to "rig" an election.

The commonwealth's General Assembly drug their feet (they must have been too busy with more important matters ...like voting for a pay raise!), putting PA counties in the awkward position of having to scramble to purchase, install, and train personnel on the new machines. As anyone who voted in the May primary can attest, Centre County commissioners opted to try two different options - a digital scan reader (using technologies much like the "fill in the oval" SAT college admissions test) or a touch screen (not unlike Sheetz's MTO food ordering and delivery system) and let the voters decide which the preferred.

I used the touch screen...and I loved it. It was quick, easy, and very straightforward. And according to the CDT, about 54% of voters used this method. There were concerns - namely the lack of a paper trial, accuracy, and procedural items (such as ensuring that the machine had been "zeroed" prior to the first vote being cast). However, if I understand correctly, all of these issues can easily be addressed; the first by a bill currently seeking passage in the General Assembly to add a "receipt" printer, if desired, and the latter two by adjusting policies and training poll workers here at a county level.

All of that considered, I was glad that our county commissioners today decided to purchase a "direct recording" electronic means of voting (such as the touch screens used in the primary) rather than the "scan-tron" format which would, in my opinion, cause huge lines during heavily contested elections, thus driving away voters. I also hope that they seriously consider the touch screen option despite its potential 1.5 million dollar price tag. If the ability to add a receipt is added anytime in the future, I think it would be the perfect mechanism to record votes.

I, like all of you, want accurate elections above all else. Additionally, I prefer that it be an easy process that encourages voters to turn out. I believe that commissioners Chris Exarchos and Steve Dershem deserve our gratitude for the hard work that they have put into this issue and for, above all, striving to find a solution to a difficult situation that meets the criteria listed above - accurate and easy!