Today, Senator Bill Nelson filled a bill in the Senate to require, nationwide, that voting machines produce a paper record for every vote cast. The press release notes that this is a companion bill to one introduced in the House by Rep. Rush Holt with one significant difference:
It also would ban conflicts of interest on the part of state election czars who
would be banned from working for others' campaigns. In 2000, then-Secretary of State Katherine Harris oversaw Florida's recount while also serving as a top campaign official for GOP candidate George W. Bush.
This is critically important and should be included in the House bill. Once passed, I believe Nelson's version will be closer to the one that comes out of conference.
This is on the heels of a more comprehensive program introduced for the state of Florida by new Republican governor, Charlie Crist.
What! Florida is introducing election reform that is more comprehensive than just requiring a paper trail? The answer is "Yes."
Governor Crist not only proposes a paper trail for every vote but also a required switch away from touch screen voting to optical scanners for all but the disabled. And, the touch screen machines will have to be retro-fitted with a printer to make a paper record.
The most important aspect of his proposal: He includes 100% of the funding necessary in his newly proposed budget. No county - my reddest of red included - can use the usual excuse that the State is mandating things but isn't providing money so they can't do it. Genius, I tell you.
The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board loves the idea and thinks it should be a national mandate.
Oh my god! Dante must have been right about the 9th circle of Hell. It must be frozen for the Sentinel and I to be in agreement over politics again.
