The Voting News for 05/18/2011
Estonia: OSCE recommends that Estonia regulate e-voting in more detail | The Baltic Course
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), an agency of the the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) monitored the March 6 2011 parliamentary elections in Estonia and published its report on the elections on Monday. The organisation recommends to supplement and specify the legislation governing e-voting. (Read the Report (PDF))
OSCE also recommends Estonia to document more thoroughly different processes involving e-voting and to increase public’s awareness of different nuances of e-voting.
According to the report, e-voting has in general received high level of confidence… Read More
Kansas: Realpolitick, Kobach style | Clay Center Dispatch
[Clay] County [KS] clerk Kayla Wang says her staff is dreading expected complaints the first election after Kansas’ new voter picture ID law takes effect. “Too many people are not going to understand what’s going on. They’re not going to be happy,” Wang said.
Why is it necessary to require all voters to present a photo ID to vote and a birth certificate to register for the first time or… Read More
North Carolina: State Senate eyes NC voter ID bill — $3.1 million estimate | Burlington Times News
A Senate panel on Tuesday took a look at a bill that would require North Carolina voters to show a photo ID when they go to the polls to cast their ballots.
“I think it does ensure integrity in our elections process,” Sen. Debbie Clary, R-Cleveland, told a Senate Judiciary Committee. “It ensures that you are who you say you are when you come to vote.” Clary said the bill mirrors… Read More
Florida: Department of Justice will look into Florida elections law changes | Post on Politics
The U.S. Department of Justice will “carefully consider” changes to Florida’s elections laws under a bill Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign into law this week.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson complained to the feds before the bill was passed that the measure would impose severe restrictions on Floridians’ voting rights. Democrats are convinced the measure is aimed at suppressing Democratic votes in next year’s presidential election in the swing… Read More
Ohio: Secretary of State chats up possible voting changes — ending “Golden Week” | newsnet5.com
The Ohio Secretary of State has a goal for 2012, to not be in the national spotlight. “That’s why you see us in early 2011 working through all the issues that we foresee on our doorstep in November of 2012,” said Jon Husted. “The last thing in the world that I ever want to be is the focus of any 2012 election.”
So Hosted is busy getting ready to institute changes… Read More
Louisiana: The cost of democracy — special elections in Louisiana | Baton Rouge Business Report
With state senators abandoning ship for statewide posts and new public jobs, and state representatives stepping up to become senators, and parish councilmen and mayors pushing to fill those vacancies, there has been a long string of special elections in recent months.
Over the course of the current term of the Louisiana Legislature, taxpayers have footed the bill for more than $1 million worth of special elections—basically, 32 unexpected contests—according… Read More
Wisconsin: Senate vote on photo ID bill delayed until Thursday | JSOnline
Senate Republicans gave initial approval early Wednesday to a bill requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls, but Democrats blocked a final vote on the measure until Thursday.
Senators signaled their approval of the bill on a voice vote, with Republicans who control the house voting for it and Democrats opposed. That vote came at 12:30 a.m., after more than 10 hours of debate, but Democrats used Senate… Read More
Pennsylvania: Machine problems plague Interboro primary elections (Delaware County) — delcotimes.com
“Until we find out the results of that one machine, I’d rather not comment,” said Kaelin, last night.
In Tuesday’s primary, a voting machine malfunction left a cliff hanger in Glenolden which may not be resolved until sometime today at the earliest, according to officials. Eight candidates were competing for four four year seats on Interboro School Board.
It is unclear if long-time incumbent John Kaelin was defeated by… Read More
Election sticker shock in Pembroke Pines Florida | Sun Sentinel
Pembroke Pines Commissioner Angelo Castillo wants to cut the cost of elections in the city and Broward County. This is in spite of the fact that his position as a city commissioner doesn’t impart him with much authority to change the way elections are run.
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes runs the elections, but Pembroke Pines pays. That rankles Castillo.
“It’s legal. They can charge cities.… Read More
Guam: Election Reform Advisory Group to help craft legislation in Guam | Pacific Daily News
The Committee on Election Reform is convening an Election Reform Advisory Group for the purpose of examining Guam’s election laws to craft legislation that will help to ensure elections are efficient, fair, and reliable.
“During the last three General Elections, and a couple of primaries, we have repeatedly seen a wide ranging list of allegations and legal challenges relative to questionable or improper conduct. Despite collective cries of outrage, the… Read More
Alaska Governor signs voter intent bill into law | AP/San Antonio Express-News
Alaska’s governor has signed into law a bill allowing the state to use discretion in counting write-in ballots.
The law, set to take effect in August, is the result of last year’s U.S. Senate race. That race was ultimately decided in the courts.
Seeking to avoid a repeat, lawmakers proposed and passed legislation that would allow a state election official to use discretion in determining voter intent. That means ballots with… Read More
South African local election voting goes smoothly | M&Cnews
Voting in municipal elections proceeded smoothly across South Africa on Wednesday, even in hotly contested districts, where a rising opposition party is hoping to make gains.
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Some minor glitches occurred in parts of Johannesburg and in the far north, including several polling machines that did not function and one station that was damaged overnight in a fire.
Long queues were reported in some regions, but voters… Read More
Utah: Salt Lake County may need to buy new voting machines | The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake County may have to come up with $10 million or more to keep elections running smoothly beyond 2015.
Elections Director Scott Konopasek announced Tuesday that the county’s voting machines may need to be swapped by then,meaning that the county would have to come up with the cash for about 3,000 replacements.
The projected tab: $10 million to $15 million.
Although the county may be able to keep… Read More