Democratand Chronicle.com
(January 6, 2006) — Nadine Parson was living in Florida during the 2000 presidential election, so she appreciates the importance of well-functioning voting machines.
"If we can come up with the computer and the iPod, why can't we come up with a voting system that doesn't require recounts?" said Parson, 51, who now lives in Brighton.
The future of voting in New York was on display Thursday at the Dome Center in Henrietta as seven types of voting machines were shown to help residents understand upcoming changes and to help elections officials decide which ones to install.
And the scene Thursday illustrated that people are taking a strong interest in their voting process. Thousands of people were expected, and deep lines formed at each machine.
"I see more people here than when I go to vote," joked Newcomb Losh, 52, of Fairport.
Monroe County elections officials organized the event because new voting machines are to be in place in time for this year's September primary.
The goal was to have people try out the different machines, then fill out surveys on their preferences.
"The idea is to reach out to people," said Thomas Ferrarese, an elections commissioner.
After the 2000 election, the federal government adopted the Help America Vote Act requiring states to implement new regulations this year.
New York plans to adopt new regulations next month. The state will certify machines; then county boards will pick which machines they want.
The event showcased two variations of touch screens, like ATMs, and optical scans for paper ballots.
The new machines will replace the mechanical lever-type machines that date back to the 1960s.
"I always liked the old mechanical machines," said Jerry Seward, 47, an elections coordinator from Chili. "But time marches on."