In compliance with HAVA, the federal government has mandated that the entire nation modernize its voting machines. Accordingly, all of our lever-mechanical machines have to be replaced for the 2006 elections. HAVA allows for considerable choice in selecting new voting machines, and some states have added no additional provisions to the federal mandate, giving them a wide choice of machines.

New York state, on the other hand, passed a law that adds provisions to the existing federal requirements. That decision by our state Legislature requires a full-face ballot. This particular provision will limit New York’s choice of machines far more than states that simply accepted the federal mandates.

The voting machines we now use are an example of full-face balloting. Every office, candidate and proposition appears on one page or one surface. Small ATM-style machines that require the voter to paginate through several screens will not satisfy state law.

Optical scan machines require voters to fill out a paper ballot and then pass it through a scanner. At present, no manufacturer makes a scanner capable of accepting a precinct-based full-face ballot. If any manufacturer makes an optical scan machine that meets state HAVA requirements for full-face ballots, we will be happy to consider it. Until then, it would be foolish to consider voting machines that fail to meet the new standards.

Therefore, our choices are narrowed to machines that have been designed for full-face ballots and have the added feature of a paper receipt. Fortunately, such machines have an excellent track record. Saratoga County has used the same kind of electronic machines for several years in the 34 districts in Clifton Park. Officials report no problems, and the four back-up machines they purchased for breakdowns have never had to be used.

Delaware County must wait for the state to publish its HAVA-approved list machines. Until then, we remain open-minded.

In July, the Board of Elections held a demonstration of new voting-machine technology. Our entire board of elections committee, consisting of three town supervisors, as well as the chairman of the board of supervisors and the director of the information technology department, attended.

We are confident that together we can successfully guide the transition to revised laws and procedures and new machines.

Letters written in "dismay," alleging that the commissioners are "acting in secrecy" and predicting "growth in voter cynicism" serve only the author’s vanity. We ask the public to come to us with questions as we go about the difficult task of meeting the new state and federal mandates. We certainly will do our best for all the voters.

Buccheri and Campbell are Delaware County Election commissioners.