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Test machines, then vote with a purpose© St. Petersburg Times published March 15, 2002 Like to play with stuff? It is the catch phrase of a television advertising campaign for an electronics and entertainment retailer. It is the same philosophy Pasco Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning adopted for today as he puts new electronic voting machines in each of Pasco's 56 public schools. "There's no programs, no speeches, no nothing," Browning said. "They can touch it. Play with it. Smell it. Whatever they want to do." The public may stop in and try out the iVotronic touch system from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schools are open, but there are no classes due to a teacher planning day. It is a worthwhile attempt by Browning to get the public familiar with the new equipment. A second session will be on a Saturday in May at all public libraries. The iVotronic system replaces the antiquated punch card voting booths that had been used since the 1970s and became the focal point for criticism in the 2000 presidential election. We encourage members of the public to become acquainted with the new equipment -- they are paying for it and the local price tag just might be getting bigger. The state budget approved by the Florida House of Representatives reneged on much of last year's promise to help counties cover the cost of the new machines. The House budget calls for $2.5-million for the voting equipment. The Senate's tentative budget includes $15.9-million. The difference would be hashed out in a conference committee, but the lower numbers in the House mean potentially higher costs to Pasco's property taxpayers. The state promised to pay Pasco County $495,000 toward the $4.5-million cost for the 1,465 iVotronic touch-screen machines. The state still owes the county $247,500. It might seem an inconsequential amount in a $110-million county general fund, but it equates to the cost of hiring, training and outfitting three new deputies or paying the first-year salary and benefits for seven firefighter/emergency medical technicians or eight code enforcement officers. It is a cost that should not be shoved back on local governments, particularly after the high-profile promises of voter reforms that followed the disputed presidential election. The difference between the Senate and House allocations suggests it could be part of the Tallahassee gamesmanship -- just another negotiating point in what has become a particularly acrimonious year for House and Senate budget writers. Sadly, it is the Legislature's own version of liking to play with stuff. So, the public should take advantage of Browning's offer today. It will be good practice for November when voters can remember the broken promises from Tallahassee when they pick their senators and representatives.
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From today's Pasco Times |
