Printing company ponders touch-screen voting

Ballot printing is key part of Elkins-Swyers' business, but new voting method may be on its way

by Ashleigh Behlmann

SBJ Contributing Writer

sbj@sbj.net

New legislation that may bring changes to the way people vote nationwide also will bring changes to Elkins-Swyers Company Inc.

As counties decide what action they need to take in order to comply with the Help America Vote Act, the local printing company prepares for an eventual change in its business.

Elkins-Swyers is responsible for the printed materials and equipment used by voters at polling places in 40 Missouri counties and in several other states. The company, which has printed materials used in Missouri courthouses since the 1920s, has traditionally dealt with punch-card technology but is researching the viability of new systems, such as touch-screen voting and optical scan devices.

"We will continue servicing everyone as we do now. But there is going to be a point where someone will say, You're not going to use that (punch-card voting) system anymore, you've got to switch to this.' That's why we are getting in on the ground floor with this technology, to get ourselves prepared. It is the next generation in voting, it's just a matter of when," said owner Steve Nibert, who purchased the 94-year-old company from his father in 1998. About 85 percent of Elkins-Swyers' business comes from city and government work, Nibert said.

Recent polling troubles served as a catalyst for the new legislation, Nibert said.

"In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with punch-card voting. The problem in Florida was poll worker mistakes. You're never going to get rid of the people problem aspect no matter what system you use. Equipment is part of it, but there are a lot of pieces to this puzzle."

Greene County Clerk Richard Struckhoff also believes in the technical soundness of punch-card voting. Struckhoff noted the system's low error rate.

"Whether or not punch-card voting can endure a very close election depends on the procedures that counties use in advance to educate voters. I don't think the debate should be anymore whether or not punch-card is a good system to use, the debate should be what we can do to make our system better," Struckhoff said.

The Help America Vote Act has sparked the debate in Greene County. "We have an opportunity in Missouri and in Greene County to take advantage of funding from the (Help America Vote) Act that passed last year. Our hope is to select a new system in 2005 to let the voters in Greene County have a chance to use that equipment before the next cycle in 2006," Struckhoff said.

Equipment selection

Selection of the equipment will prove a difficult task as accessibility, cost and durability of the equipment must all be considered.

"Touch-screen voting has been deemed by the (Americans with Disabilities Act) as the only thing a disabled person can vote on, but touch-screen voting has not been approved for use in Missouri," said Nibert.

Touch-screen voting modules can be adjusted to accommodate those in wheelchairs, and can be fitted with an audio device to assist the blind.

"We should have a system that everybody can understand and everybody should be able to use," Struckhoff said. "Our plan is to empanel an advisory group made up of the chairmen of various parties in Greene County. We will have some computer experts, someone from our purchasing department, and a representative of the disabled community. We will try to have a small but effective group who will look at the systems and help us come to a decision."

As electronic voting units can cost from $2,000 to $5,000, Greene County is unlikely to purchase all electronic models when the time comes to buy equipment.

"We're almost assured to have some sort of hybrid system," said Struckhoff. "We're going to have a system that involves paper, because there are voters that are away from home that we have to mail a ballot to. We're also required to have some sort of audio or other electronic system at every polling place in order to satisfy the needs of people with disabilities," said Struckhoff.

Added Nibert, "There are a lot of what ifs still happening."

Another concern is that electronic machines may never rival the longevity of punch-card machinery.

"The reader counts 600 cards per minute. A lot of the card readers have been in counties we are servicing for 20 to 25 years. They're workhorses. The verdict is still out on how long something like (touch screen) is going to last," said Nibert.

Struckhoff added, "That's probably why the larger counties in the country have stuck with punch card voting. It's very economical and very effective. We're doing a lot of looking and keeping our fingers crossed that we can find a system that we can afford and that will last as long as the punch cards have. That is going to be a very difficult record to top."

Touch-screen technology

While no touch-screen voting module also known as Direct Recording Electronic Touchscreen Machine has been approved by Missouri, several vendors are vying for the endorsement.

"All of them have different bells and whistles, but there are some guidelines of things the machines must provide for voters. They must meet ADA requirements and offer second-chance voting. Other features are still being decided," said Steve Nibert. "Certification is pending on all models until the (Election Assistance Commission) comes up with guidelines. What will probably happen is the Secretary of State's Office will certify several machines that the counties can choose from."

Nibert hopes to convince Missouri legislators of the merits of a touch-screen produced by Sequoia Voting Systems out of California.

The machine boasts ADA-pleasing features such as adjustability to accommodate voters in wheelchairs and an audio ballot for vision-impaired voters. Votes are recorded twice, once in the electronic memory pack, and once on a ticker tape visible while the voter confirms his or her choices. This has the added benefit of a paper trail in the event that a manual recount is demanded. According to Nibert, whether this feature will be mandatory is still being decided.

The touch-screen module eliminates the possibility of over voting by removing all other options from the screen once a selection is made. The voter may, however, scroll back and change their vote if they choose to do so. The machine also reminds voters of missed fields before their ballot is cast. Touch screens may be programmed in several languages and set up to accommodate several different ballots.