Iowa getting $17.5 million for election upgrades

Article does not indicated what the new voting systems will be, only that they'll be "handicap accessible"

http://www.crgazette.com/2005/03/16/Home/News/voting.htm

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He (Sec. of State Chet Culver) said new and improved voting machines will be in place in time for next year's elections, thanks to a combination of state and federal dollars resulting from legislation approved by Congress in the wake of the disputed 2000 presidential election.

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The money is being distributed through a formula that's based on the number of registered voters in each county.

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Culver said improvements in voting machine technology will provide for faster returns on election night, and give voters the ability to correct mistakes made when casting ballots.

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While the measure approved by Congress requires the new voting systems to be in place by next year's general election, Culver said he was moving quickly to dole out the money so the new systems could be ready for next fall's municipal and school elections. He said that will, in effect, allow a trial run before the general election next year.

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Why not stay with paper ballots, since there's less change of being rigged. And "handicap-accessible"?! We already HAVE handicap-accessible voting booths, so that's a load of crap.

That's one of the big things the disabilaty community is pushing for, the ability to vote independently. And note, that's their arguement, not mine. I think we're doomed if this means touchscreens only. Let Culver know this.

That argument has merit. That's an interesting conundrum. That said, the blind don't need touch-screens -- they're BLIND. They ain't gonna see the screen. Don't know how that could work. Unfortunately I'm not sure if anyone's able to make a foolproof system in that situation. Touch-screen systems, though: NO. NO NO NO NO NO!

that blind people can vote on via an audio prompt. Added equipment makes the touchscreen handicap usable. There is an audio review of the votes and the blind can vote without assistance. They are working on a ballot marking device for the blind that can print out ballots for a tabulator.