November 2, 2005, 4:44 PM EST
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The state Board of Elections gave tentative approval
Wednesday to regulations governing new machines that are supposed to
replace that icon of New York voting _ the lever-action model.
A critic immediately charged the board was shutting out the public and
that New York could wind up with voting machines that might have
security concerns.
The lever-action voting machine was first demonstrated in Lockport,
N.Y., in 1892 and soon became the dominant system all across New York
and much of the nation. It is still the primary voting system used in
New York.
But under provision of the federal Help America Vote Act, adopted in the
wake of the disputed 2000 presidential election, the mechanical lever
machines are supposed to be replaced in time for the 2006 election.
The regulations approved Wednesday by the board mirror orders given them
by the state Legislature. The regulations will allow electronic voting
machines, including touch-screen models, and optical scan machinery as
long as it includes a backup system that would serve disabled voters.
The board action will lead to a 45-day public comment period after which
the board can modify the regulations. Board spokesman Lee Daghlian said
the commissioners also decided to hold several public hearings across
the state during the comment period.
Election officials are rushing against the 2006 election deadline amid
warnings that it may not be met. Prospective new voting machines must
still be certified by the board as meeting the regulations and it is
only after that is done that counties can begin purchasing the new
machines.
"It's going to be tight," Daghlian said Wednesday.
Neal Rosenstein of the New York Public Interest Research Group
complained the board acted without waiting to hear from a Citizens
Advisory Committee the state Legislature ordered to be set up. The
committee has had only one meeting.
"Though by law, the regulations must now be subject to comment by the
public, the action by the board reminds us of the worst traits of a
dysfunctional bureaucracy seemingly unconcerned with soliciting
meaningful public input," Rosenstein said.
The NYPIRG official said the board also wasn't properly addressing
concerns over keeping the new electronic machines secure.
Aimee Allaud of the League of Women Voters also raised concerns about
the board not waiting to hear from the advisory committee before acting,
but she praised the commissioners for ordering public hearings.
"That's an excellent idea," Allaud said.
Copyright (c) 2005, The Associated Press