Funding Paper Ballots - page 2

BACKGROUND

On May 17, 2007, legislation requiring voter-verifiable paper records in Maryland was signed into law, and will apply to elections beginning in 2010. However, the Act is contingent on appropriation of sufficient funds in the state budget by 2009 to allow its implementation.  MD-EIC believes that the funding requirement can be met, even under current budgetary constraints.

Our findings are based upon the following analysis:

• Maryland has 1,808 precincts and 3.2 million registered voters.

• One optical scanner can serve 3,000-3,500 voters. 97% of Maryland precincts will require one scanner and one ballot marking device for voters with disabilities.

• Maryland currently owns at least 20,000 Diebold AccuVote Touch Screen (AVOS) voting units. The cost for this system was over $90 million.

• Costs for the current AccuVote TS paperless touchscreen are not static. The State Board of Elections requires the purchase of additional voting units to meet the requirements for replacement units and increased demand.

• The current system cannot meet the likely certification standards of either the EAC or federal legislation now under consideration. Since Maryland law requires compliance with federal guidelines, it represents unsound fiscal policy to continue to pour tax dollars into a system that will require eventual replacement.

• The current computerized voting system is approaching the life expectancy for these units, necessitating costly system upgrades. Since the warranty period for AccuVote TS has expired, maintenance costs must now be borne by the localities. A precinct-based optical scanner, by contrast, has a life expectancy of up to 15 years.

    PREVIOUS           NEXT     

Maryland Election Integrity © 2007