"I'm really upset and accused Diebold of lying," -- Clarksdale,MS,USA

[pbartch]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16082716&BRD=2038&PAG=461&dept_id=230617&rfi=6

Concerns raised about voting machines

By: DAVID OWENS, Staff Writer February 08, 2006




The lack of training on the Diebold voting machines has raised the ire of the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors. Circuit Clerk Charles Oakes told the board Monday that the office of Secretary of State Eric Clark and Diebold have not kept their promises.

"I called them at the end of December and told them my concerns," Oakes said. "Coahoma County is going to be one of the main counties they will look at election results (in the Second Congressional District race).
"This is Chuck Espy's home county," he said. "If a challenge will be made about the machines, it's going to be made in this county."
Oakes said he was told it was too early to start training. "I told them it was too late," he said.
Board president Katherine Furr said she has received a lot of calls about the machines recently from concerned citizens.
"They are hesitant about their confidence in the machines and they shouldn't be," she said. "Everybody should know how to vote. If they don't send somebody to train, they are denying people the right to vote.
"The poll workers also haven't seen the machines or had an opportunity to be trained," Furr said. "They are getting panicky."
Oakes said he has a voting machine set up in his office and has also taken a machine to surrounding areas to display in the evening.
"It's difficult for one person to cover the entire county," he said. "I gave my concern to Eric Clark's office that their promises never get done. They never go back and check to see if they were carried out."
During the third week of January, Oakes said he received six cards to operate the machines - one for him and five for the election commissioners.
"I'm really upset and accused Diebold of lying," he said. "They promised they would send someone before January. They haven't sent one person to Coahoma County to train and we're in February now.
"The Secretary of State is wondering where he's running next and won't even return my calls," Oakes said, noting the old machines were outlawed for use.
District 4 Supervisor Johnny Newson said he was worried about lawsuits the county would receive if people couldn't vote.
"We are nearing an election and haven't had anyone to train or educate the community," he said. "People want to vote, but they are being denied because the machines have put them at a disadvantage.
"These machines are supposed to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant also," Newson said. "We're opening up a can of worms and can't put the top back on."
District 3 Supervisor Timothy Burrel echoes Newson's sentiments.
"There are going to be a lot of lawsuits," he said. "We're in for some difficult days ahead."
The board will soon send a list of suggestions to educate citizens on the machines to Oakes and the Coahoma County Election Commissioners.
Board attorney Tom Ross will also be sending a letter to the Justice Department, noting the county's difficulties regarding the upcoming primary election.
A $6 million bond issue to purchase more Diebold voting machines throughout the state is currently stuck in the Senate subcommittee.

[Wilms]

1. I'll bet this sort of thing plays out in a lot of places.

It's half the problem with e-voting in general. Not just Diebold.

Many election officials rely on the vendors to administer the elections.

Not good.