Comptroller scrutinizing Election Day preparedness
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- September
- 24
ÂÂ ÂÂ With high turnout expected for the presidential election, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office isÂÂ reviewingÂÂ 18 county boards of election to see whether they’re prepared. DiNapoli chose a sampling of election boards that are various sizes. Two are localÂÂ boards—Westchester County and Putnam County.ÂÂ
ÂÂ ÂÂ Reviews, whichÂÂ have already begun, will examine whether boards are in compliance with election law, have adequate staffing and appropriate training, and have properly tested voting machines. Auditors will look at poll site accessibility andÂÂ contingency plans for machine breakdown. The Comptroller’s Office has done individual audits of individual boards before, but this one is unique in that it’s an expedited review of 18 boards, a spokeswoman for DiNapoli said. Auditors identifiedÂÂ election preparednessÂÂ as a risk area because of the high interest in voting when there’s a presidential election.
ÂÂ ÂÂ “The oxygen of democracy is participation,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “But voters can’t participate if the lines are too long or the voting machines don’t work. There’s a lot of excitement surrounding this year’s presidential election. Turnout will be high, and polling places should be ready. Our review will make sure they are.”
ÂÂ ÂÂ The other counties include Albany, Brooklyn, Broome, Erie, Fulton, Greene, Lewis, Manhattan, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Schuyler, Suffolk and Wyoming.
ÂÂ ÂÂ This is supposed to be the last year voters will use mechanical-lever machines. There is at least one ballot-marking device at each poll.ÂÂ Those machines are in place to enable people with disabilities to vote independently, but any voter can use them.ÂÂ
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 11:13 am by Cara Matthews.
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