EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Hugh Gallagher
Organization : | Election System & Management Services
Post Date : | 9/30/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 6.7.2.1.1
Page no. : | 27
Line no.: |
Comment : | Briefly, I’d like to take a look at why jurisdictions decide to select a vendor solution that is based on wireless network technologies. According to the Discussion in Section 6.7.2.1.1, “convenience is not a sufficiently compelling reason, on its own, to justify the inclusion of wireless communications in a voting system.” Clearly from this statement, in my opinion, the author has not involved themselves in the preparation and programming of an election. If “convenience” is used to connote “laziness”, then clearly this individual or groups of individuals is ignorant of the true environment of elections. Our process of elections is conducted for the most part very frugally – anyone who says to the contrary has not been involved in a local governmental budget process. Elections are viewed as “just happening” by most people to include politicians. Most believe our election administrators, only work one or two days a year. It is also very difficult to find enough poll workers for an election who, by the way get paid very little to work a demanding 12 to 14 hour day. We know by the pace of innovation in our manufacturing and service industries, that reducing costs can only be accomplished by automating processes. The use of wireless technology in voting is one automation method which helps reduce total life-cycle costs. [Statements submitted at EAC public hearing, July 28, 2005, Pasadena]