03/05/2013 (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

February 27, 2013 Page Three (3) voting system. The total cost for implementation of the Sequoia paper ballot voting component in 2008 was $685,565. In 2010, due to the lobbying efforts of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, the Florida Legislature voted to delay implementation of F.S. 101.56075 — By the year 2016, persons with disabilities shall vote on a voter interface device that meets the voter accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities under s. 301. of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002." Counties throughout Florida have either installed voting equipment that satisfies the requirements of F.S. 101.56075 or are in the process of funding and purchasing a voting system that complies with F.S. 101.56075. Also in 2010, Sequoia Voting Systems was acquired by Dominion Voting, Inc. Dominion Voting, Inc. has no device that meets the Legislative mandate outlined in F.S. 101.56075 that is compatible with Indian River County's current voting system, thus Indian River County must purchase a new voting system in the near future. I am bringing this Legislative mandate to the Board's attention so preparations can be made for the 2016 deadline and the costs associated with implementing a new voting system. It would be advantageous to install Indian River County's new voting system well in advance of the January, 2016 Presidential Preference Primary Election. National elections, invoke large voter turnout, therefore, this would not be a good time to introduce a new voting system. The Supervisor of Elections office needs time to conduct a mock election to fine tune the voting procedures utilizing the new voting system, time to train staff and poll workers, and also time to familiarize voters in Indian River County with the operation of the new equipment. My thought was that bringing this mandate to your attention at this time would allow for funds to be set aside during the next two fiscal years for this necessary expenditure. As a side note, at the January 2013 meeting of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, it was discussed that the Legislature may be supporting the statewide implementation of electronic poll books and assisting individual counties with funds to purchase this equipment. Indian River County already utilizes electronic poll books for early voting and on Election Day. I have contacted our local Legislators and urged them that if the Legislature is allocating funds for counties to purchase electronic poll books, then those counties who already have electronic poll books should be allowed to utilize the funds (allocated for electronic poll books) to help defray the cost to purchase new voting systems. 43,1q•3�