Cayahoga Singled out On Blackwell site as inept in choosing e-machine

From The Plain Dealer March 2, 2003 (Off of Blackwell's Re-election site http://www.kenblackwell.com/news.asp?formmode=release&id=39

"MAKING A SMART BUY

03/02/03

"Assuming Congress appropriates all of the money it promised under the Help America Vote Act, Ohio stands to receive $150 million to revamp its elections machinery before November 2004.

The prospect of that much money coming in has had predictable results. With 88 counties poised to buy new voting machines, many vendors have been lining up high-powered lobbyists to craft their sales pitches. Some counties have been hiring consultants to help guide their purchases.

Shoring up the basic infrastructure of democracy has begun to look like a feeding frenzy for special interests. Not a very savory image - or a likely model for success.

That`s why it`s good to see Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, this state`s chief elections officer, step up and attempt to impose some calm and order. Blackwell says that rather than simply passing federal dollars - augmented by a small state match - through to the counties, he wants to centralize the purchasing process. He plans to work with an advisory committee of local elections officials to vet prospective vendors and to develop a standard contract for the additional services, including technical support and poll worker education, that will be required to get the new systems up and running. Counties will then choose from a short list of approved vendors.

It`s a sensible approach. Many smaller counties were afraid they would be unable to negotiate good deals or demand sufficient attention from vendors who might be more focused on large customers such as Cuyahoga County. Blackwell`s bulk ordering should allay at least some of those fears. At the same time, individual counties will retain an element of choice as to which system they buy.

Cuyahoga County`s Board of Elections was one of those rushing to select a consultant to help deal with potential vendors. But the board`s inept approach - changing one bid upon opening, awarding a contract, then revoking it and ordering up a new round of proposals - has done little to reassure the voting public. The board may yet hire outside help, just as many private companies do when they upgrade technology, but the job description can now be streamlined.

One thing all counties need to think about - and maybe set some money aside for - is how best to educate voters to use whatever new machines are selected.

The 2000 election demonstrated how rickety much of our country`s voting machinery is. Congress has recognized that fixing it must be a national priority. And Blackwell`s efforts should help Ohio do its part. "


© 2003 The Plain Dealer.

"Counties will then choose from a short list of approved vendors."

"approved vendors" -simple way to make sure Ohio got machines from his buddies, instead of possibly buying them from an honest company, or a Dem. backed one (if there are any).

:cry: