Rep.Wexler's call for Optical Scanners 2004
State and federal litigation concerning the legality and constitutionality of voting machines that do not conform to manual recount requirements under Florida law. We can agree that either lawsuit could result in the invalidation of the touch-screen voting machines currently used in 15 Florida counties.
Only a few months remain before the November 2004 elections. Given this time constraint, We recommend strongly as an alternative that the 15 counties with touch-screen machines be given the funds to obtain optical scan machines similar to the ones used in Florida's remaining 52 counties. If this suggestion is acted upon promptly, there is sufficient time to obtain and install these machines as well as train poll workers before the November election and avoid potential chaos after a ruling on either my state or federal lawsuit or on election day. Since your plan does not appear to commit the remaining $60 million for any purpose, We strongly encourage you to make this money available for the 15 counties with touch-screen machines so they may obtain optical scan machines.
