Ohio is keeping its touch screens

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1170497002253971.xml&coll=2

Brunner plans review to improve voting

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Joan Mazzolini and Michael O'MalleyPlain Dealer Reporters

Ohio's top election official said Friday that the state can't afford to give up on touch-screen voting machines despite decisions by two other states to abandon the technology.

Instead, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said she wants to boost confidence in touch-screen systems and plans a review within six months to look for ways to better handle and secure the machines during elections.

Her comments came a day after Florida's governor announced the state will scrap touch-screen machines used in 15 counties because they do not produce a back-up paper record. Ohio, in contrast, requires a paper record for all touch-screen machines.

Some observers contend the move by Florida, and Virginia's decision to phase out touch-screen machines that operate much like automated tellers, spell trouble for the technology...





Guilt by Association
Two women are sacrificed for the election board's incompetence.

http://www.clevescene.com/Issues/2007-01-31/news/news.html

By Denise Grollmus
Article Published Jan 31, 2007

Jacquie Maiden, a poised preacher's wife, huddles between her attorneys. Next to her is Kathy Dreamer, a subdued Irish woman seemingly unaccustomed to her charcoal suit. Hiding in the corner is Rosie Grier, a soft-spoken lady who's spent most of her life changing bedpans for seniors.

They look more like a sewing circle than a gang of convicts. But the three Cuyahoga County Board of Elections employees face seven charges each, accused of rigging the 2004 presidential election recount.

In moments, Corrigan will christen Maiden and Dreamer felons. A jury has found them guilty of negligent misconduct and failure to perform their duties.

Given the election board's legacy of incompetence, the verdict will come off to some as a victory for democracy. Yet a closer examination reveals just another triumph for county government as usual...




Lawsuit accuses Brunner in bill's veto

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1170495599253970.xml&coll=2

Saturday, February 03, 2007Reginald FieldsPlain Dealer Bureau

Columbus- Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner overstepped her authority when she ignored outgoing Gov. Bob Taft's decision on a bill and allowed the new governor to veto it, said General Assembly leaders.

Senate President Bill Harris and House Speaker Jon Husted on Friday filed a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court on behalf of the General Assembly against Brunner over the peculiar circumstances surrounding Gov. Ted Strickland's Jan. 8 veto of Senate Bill 117.

Before leaving office, Taft had decided to allow the bill - which would limit damages consumer fraud victims could collect from businesses - to become law without his signature. Former Secretary of State Ken Blackwell signed it Jan. 5.

At issue is when the 10-day period a governor is given to consider a bill began and ended. Harris and Husted say it ended Jan. 5 when it was filed with the secretary's office. Brunner's records indicate the period ended Jan. 8, leaving just enough time for Strickland to reject it...



Let the legal wrangling begin

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/openers/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_openers/archives/2007_02.html#232959


...The bill sought to change the Consumer Sales Practice Act to allow defrauded consumers to recoup only up to $5,000 in non-economic damages. The bill would also forbid cities from using public nuisance laws, which carry a lower burden of proof, for suing manufacturers over health hazards linked
to their products.

The lawsuit will be fought on the taxpayers' dime. Strickland's and Brunner's legal team will come from the state attorney general's office. Harris and Husted have budgeted $150,000 from their caucuses and hired a Columbus law firm at
$160 an hour to represent them.

[Junkdrawer]

1. Prosecute the foot soldiers, keep the corrupt machines...

That'll restore confidence...

[depakid]

2. "...the state can't afford"

Actually, the state can't afford not to. It's in sorry shape and doesn't look to be getting any better under the current policies.

[ohio2007]

4. Wasn't it mandatory after the 200 election to upgrade ?

I used the touchscreen system and had no problem with it as it very much is like an ATM.
but
it seems many people only do their banking in line, not on line so alot of intimidation went into the vote process.
On the other hand, I liked the punch card system and I still don't buy into that "hanging chad" issue in order to recount an election.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for that but the punch card system invented over 100 yrs ago I fear won't be improved upon in the near future.

[LiberalFighter]

3. 10 day period under Ohio's Constitution does not include Sundays

I suppose those Republicans don't think Ohio's Constitution exists or is not valid.

[Berry Cool]

5. Looks like I'll have to keep voting absentee.

I don't trust the touch screens. What a bunch of nonsense.

And now we KNOW we got our votes stolen in 2004 and the wrong man won Ohio, but what happens? A handful of women get convicted for their supposed shortcutting of the recount. Whoopee.

[LiberalFighter]

6. The ATM touch aren't exactly user friendly

You have to touch at the right spot to make it work right. And if your vision is at the wrong angle it can mess it up.

[ohio2007]

7. Same thing has been said of the punch card.

damned if you do,damned if you don't.

[Lautremont]

8. I didn't know Rosey Grier was mixed up in all this!

What a career that man's had. Great football player, helped bring down Sirhan Sirhan in the Ambassador kitchen, co-starred with Ray Milland in The Man With Two Heads, and now this.