The bill sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-S.I.) doesn’t match a previously passed Senate bill in several key areas. The Senate version permits the use of lever machines for any non-federal vote. Cusick’s proposal limits it to this year’s primary and possible runoff elections alone. With two weeks left in the legislative session, Senate bill sponsor Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn) said he’s hopeful — but not convinced — an agreement can be struck. The city Board of Elections wants to use the old machines because there may not be time to reprogram and redeploy the relatively new electronic scanners in the event of a quick-turnaround runoff.
NYC BOE President Fred Umane told the Daily News Wednesday that ideally, the city could use the lever machines for a primary and a runoff and then roll out the new scanners for November’s general election.
“Believe me, this is not something we want to do, but under the statute we have to do it — and this is the only way we see [the Board] being able to accomplish the task,” said Umane, the Manhattan Republican commissioner on the 10-member Board.
Full Article: Assembly Democrats Float Bill To Bring Back NYC Lever Voting, But Details Remain In The Works | New York Daily News.