ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County Democratic Election Commissioner David Mace says he's going on record that a crisis will result if they don't start preparing electronic voting machines for the September primary election.
Mace said the county should purchase Election Management System equipment and software from the firm Election Systems & Software at a cost of about $100,000.
"I'm really concerned we get ourselves into some idea that this (use of electronic machines) is not going to happen," Mace said. "I really think there is no question. There will be a huge problem if we don't start acting now."
County Republican Election Commissioner Lewis Sanders said he disagrees with Mace.
Sanders said most counties are not buying the Election Systems & Software upgrades Mace wants until the electronic machines are certified by the State Board of Elections.
Mace said if they don't buy now there won't be time to get the machines ready for the primary. He said the county has $110,000 left in its budget from Help America Vote Act grants.
The county previously bought 25 Sequoia machines at about $12,000 each, that are now used for handicapped voting. The Election Management software would work with those machines.
Mace said Sanders previously told the County Board of Supervisors the old mechanical machines would still be used for the primary and general election this year. The lever-action machines are being used for the March 31 special election for the 20th Congressional District seat.
"It seemed to be conveyed we were not going to use the new machines," Mace said. "If we delay any further in finishing what we need to do we're going to be in a world of trouble."
Sanders said accreditation for test firm SysTest has only now been reinstated by the State Election Commissioners Association. SysTest's role is to test and certify the electronic voting machines from various firms for use in New York state elections.
Mace said once the new machines are certified, election law bars any future use of the lever machines.
"I don't think they're going to get those machines certified in time this year," Sanders said. "Once they're certified we'll sit down and talk about it."
Mace said he believes the state "will take action against boards that don't do their job."
The State Board of Elections is under a consent order in federal court mandating HAVA compliance. Mace said the State Board of Elections has made it clear that counties that "try to thwart the process will be dealt with using all the legal power that can be mustered."
Sanders said the electronic machines have been unreliable, and frequently break down.
"Most of those electronic machines just haven't worked at all," Sanders said.
In order to buy the Election Management System equipment and software now, both election commissioners would have to agree.
Supervisor Dale French (R-Crown Point), who chairs the County Public Safety Committee, said the committee won't intervene.
"It is in your hands," French told the two commissioners. "We're not going to resolve this" at a committee meeting.
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Essex County election commissioners disagree
- Breaking News
-
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
- New Today
-
-
Recovery Center to open next week
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Recovery Center to open next week
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style.
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
- Recent Article Comments
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
