Michigan ballots to convert to optical scanning by 2006

The days of voting on standard paper ballots, punch cards, pulling
mechanized levers and touching digital recorded screens will be
finished by 2006.

By then, all precincts are required by federal law to be converted to an optical scanning system.

The office of the Secretary of State is taking part in an initiative
that was sparked by a law adopted last year which requires states to
convert all voting systems to one uniform mechanism.

“It was done so that all Michigan voters would vote on the same
system and share the same experience,” said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman
for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land.

Isabella County has no optical scanning machines and continues to
utilize punch card ballots throughout its 27 precincts, said County
Clerk Joyce Swan.

Swan said counties with punch card systems are the state’s top priority in the conversion process.

“We will be the first ones to transfer over to the optical scan,” Swan said.

Clarkston sophomore April Samson said the new law requiring states
to have one standard system of voting is a good idea, though it may not
accomplish all the goals the Secretary of State hopes it will.

“It’s more efficient, but I don’t think it will make people vote more,” she said.

Samson said despite a faster and more efficient system, people will still believe their vote doesn’t count.

“It’s common sense — I think it’s a stupid reason not to vote,” Samson said.

Prior to passing the law, the department found two-thirds of all precincts reported using optical scanning voting machines.

“Optical scan systems are very advantageous,” Chesney said.

The systems consist of a standard paper ballot that is similar to a Scantron test sheet, she said.

“Voters indicate their ballot choice by filling in a small circle next to each candidate’s name,” Chesney said.

When voters complete their ballots, they put them into a secrecy sleeve, then run the ballot through scanning machines.

“It gives the voters the opportunity to view and change their ballot before casting,” Chesney said.

The Secretary of State began accepting bids from qualified vendors for the optical scanning replacement equipment Oct. 1.

“We’re looking for vendors so that each county can collectively
decide which of the vendors meet the needs of their voters,” she said.

Chesney said a set number of vendors will be in place by
mid-December, which will allow many precincts to beginning updating in
time for the upcoming 2004 presidential election.

Swan said the county would like to be converted for the November election and if possible the August primary.

“For those jurisdictions or precincts wishing to do that, we will have a mechanism to do so,” Chesney said.

In the case of a machine breaking down and losing previously counted
votes, Chesney said election officials still have a tangible paper
ballot.

“It provides a paper audit trail for conducting recounts,” she said.

The machines also will allow election officials to compile results
quicker — with the hope of attracting more voters to show up to the
polls, Chesney said.

“It should make it much more easier for our voters,” she said.

When asked about the possibility of voters being able to cast their
vote on the Internet, Chesney said the federal government is
considering launching a pilot version of an online voting system for
members of the military.

“At this point we’re not far enough along with security features to do that,” she said.

There also is talk of allowing voters to apply for absentee ballots online, Chesney said.

When asked about the idea of voting online, Taylor freshmen Jessica
Mudge said she likes the idea of military members voting online.

“That’s a good way to start it,” Mudge said. “I think the Internet would allow people to vote faster.”

The Help America Vote Act will provide more than $45 million in
federal funding for the state conversion to the new voting system.