-Caveat Lector- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6241-2002Nov5.html
As Voters Head to Polls, Montgomery Sees Glitches Technical Problem with New Voting Machines Plague Some Precincts By Christina Pino-Marina and Jeffrey Marcus washingtonpost.com Staff Writers Tuesday, November 5, 2002; 1:15 PM As residents of Maryland, Virginia and the District cast their votes in several closely watched races, technical problems plagued some precincts in Montgomery County, Md. Montgomery residents using the new electronic touch-screen voting machines at all 30 precincts in legislative District 19 saw the word "Democratic" in the header of the ballots, according to Sara Harris, deputy director of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. Harris said about 9:30 a.m. that technicians were encoding new ballot display cards and were hoping to have the problem fixed within two hours. About 11 a.m., elections official met and decided not to distribute the new cards but to post notices instead in the precincts and on the affected machines. Another elections official, Marjorie Roher, said the step was taken "to preserve the integrity of the votes and to inform voters about what happened." The notices state: "The ballot is correct and your vote will count. This ballot contains all candidates and questions. However, the heading on the instruction page contains the word "Democratic." This word should not have appeared on the instruction page and this line should have been blank." "At no time has [the appearance of the word on the ballot] affected the voting or tabulation of the results," Roher added. The glitches this morning come on the heels of extensive problems with the new voting machines in the county during the September primary. On primary day, technical as well as staffing problems forced delays in some poll openings. In addition, many election returns were posted early the next morning, which is later than usual. The electronic touch-screen voting machines are also being used in Prince George's, Allegany and Dorchester counties. The new system replaced punch card machines in Montgomery and lever-voting machines in the other counties, according to state election officials. Also in Maryland, the governor's race and the battle over the 8th congressional district seat are high on the agenda for most voters. Lt.Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a Democrat, and her Republican challenger, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., are in a dead heat, and voter turnout is crucial for both gubernatorial candidates. If elected, Townsend would be the first female governor of Maryland. If Ehrlich wins, he would be the first Republican to serve since Spiro Agnew left the office in 1969. In the congressional race, incumbent Republican Constance A. Morella is seeking a ninth term as Democrat Chris Van Hollen tries to unseat her. Poll-watchers, pundits and voters are watching that contest and others to see if the Democratic Party will regain control over the U.S. House of Representatives. Van Hollen's campaign manager, Steve Jost, said the campaign would ask Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan and the state's attorney general to extend poll hours because some voters left after waiting in long lines. Jost attributed the long lines to high turnout coupled with voter unfamiliarity with the new machines. In Northern Virginia, voters in nine jurisdictions will decide whether to raise the sale tax from 4.5 percent to 5 percent to fund regional transportation projects. If voters approve the measure, an estimated $5 billion generated from the tax increase over 20 years would be designated to fund local highway and mass transit projects. In the District, Mayor Anthony A. Williams faces his primary challenge from Republican councilwoman Carol Schwartz. Schwartz entered the race less than six weeks before Election Day. New voting machines are also being put to the test today in the District, where paper ballots and electronic tabulation machines have replaced the city’s antiquated voting machines. The new system was put into action in September during the Democratic primaries. Polls opened at 6 a.m. EST in Virginia and will close at 7 p.m. EST. Polls opened at 7 a.m. EST in Maryland and the District, and will close there at 8 p.m. EST. washingtonpost.com staff writers John Nichols and Kyle Balluck contributed to this report. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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