Time and again, elections supervisor proves worthy
Published October 19, 2004
Kurt Browning is used to running elections, not campaigns.
Browning, Pasco's six-term supervisor of elections, hasn't faced an electoral opponent since 1992. There is a reason. Browning's high level of professionalism, knowledge of election procedures and laws, and outstanding performance in office has earned him statewide acclaim.
Opponent Patrick Bergy, running with no party affiliation, admits he was a "self-indulgent geek" until Howard Dean's Democratic presidential candidacy inspired him to try to make a difference. So, Bergy, a self-taught computer network administrator, is focusing his campaign nearly exclusively on Browning's recommendation, and the County Commission's decision following it, to purchase electronic touch screen voting equipment after the 2000 presidential election.
Bergy's beef mirrors that of hard-core Democratic Party activists who complain the machines provide no paper receipt for voters and are susceptible to manipulation. The conspiracy theory is indicative of a campaign bereft of substantive issues.
(Bergy interviewed with the Times on Aug. 31, but in an e-mail sent to the newspaper last week, he said he did not want to be considered for the newspaper's recommendation.)
Bergy faulted Browning for failing to draw attention to the flaws associated with the former punch card system in a timely manner. One problem. Browning did just that, asking for updated equipment in 1997, a request the County Commission rejected for financial reasons.
If elected, Bergy said he will scrap Pasco's $4.5-million electronic voting system. Unfortunately, that is not a decision he gets to make. The Board of County Commissioners purchased the equipment and is responsible for replacing it.
Bergy also attacked Browning's integrity, contending Browning's refusal to allow his computer staff to meet with Bergy privately violated state ethics laws. The Florida Ethics Commission correctly tossed the complaint in quick fashion.
Bergy should probably worry a little more about the details of his own candidacy. Six times, Browning's office has had to send him letters because campaign finance reports were filled out incorrectly.
"Turning some forms back in? The fact that's all I screwed up is amazing," Bergy retorted.
His nonchalance toward election laws doesn't instill confidence in his ability to administer the duties of elections supervisor. Nor does his suggestion that the position should be a part-time job.
We will, however, give Bergy credit for declining to seek the Democratic Party nomination. The governor's task force on election reform recommended elections supervisors be nonpartisan, a position Browning has advocated for years. Bergy at least is trying to follow the spirit of the task force sentiments. Browning switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2002.
Absent that political consideration, there is little with which to fault Browning. He oversees a $2.5-million annual budget, recruits and trains 2,000 volunteers to staff more than 150 polling sites around the county, acquired telecommunications equipment to ensure prompt election results, and administers his duties in a fair and impartial manner.
For a sharp contrast, just look at Hillsborough County, where an appointed elections supervisor didn't finish counting primary ballots until 10 hours after the polls closed, failed to count 245 votes because an electronic voting machine was never switched from the test mode, and even posted inaccurate voter turnout totals on his office Web site.
Browning's dedication spares Pasco County from such dubious notoriety. He is an accomplished public servant who deserves to extend his tenure.
The Times strongly recommends voters re-elect Kurt Browning as Pasco supervisor of elections.
