What is going on with the voting machines in New York?
First we’re last, then we’re told they would be in place shortly and now state officials are saying they won’t be fully implemented until 2009.
“Clearly, 2007 is going to be very difficult for us and they understand that,” said Peter Kosinski, the board’s co-executive director. “We are in discussions about what is doable.”
Clearly we’re confused.
While we are in full support of doing this right the first time, instead of screwing it up and having to do it over, we’re not surprised New York is again confusing people with what the next move is for voting machines.
The Help America Vote Act planned to have every state in place by the 2006 elections and that sure didn’t happen in New York. Now we’re looking at ’09.
Nonetheless, Kosinski said, “We don’t want to have to set out some artificial deadline.”
What would you call ’06 and ’07?
Some believe that the delay will benefit New York as we will be able to see what breakdowns occur in the states already using the new technology, but let’s get a move on here. There is federal aid at stake.
New York might have to return at least $50 million in federal aid meant to help pay for new voting machines. The state has also received more than $200 million in additional HAVA-related aid.
If we don’t get moving, that aid may go out the window.
