NY: Grand Total of 17 Votes Cast on 450 HAVA-mandated Voting Machines Costing $3.5 million

[Wilms]

HAVA chuckle in Nassau

Friday November 20, 2009

By William Murphy

snip

Not the least — but certainly not all — of that derision is aimed at the rows of 450 HAVA-mandated voting machines for the disabled, which cost some $3.5 million.
A total of 17 votes were cast on those machines on Nov. 3rd, and some of the ballots were cast by able people when the mechanical voting machine in a polling place was out of commission.


Both Democrats and Republicans say privately that a better, less expensive way must be found to serve all voters. Meanwhile, they take out their frustrations on HAVA with humor.


Some supply closets are marked “H.A.V.A Supply Closet.” The water cooler invites a drink of “HAVA WATER,” and spot where the coffee maker used to sit is marked with a “HAVA COFFEE” sign.

snip

http://www.newsday.com/blogs/politics/spin-cycle-1.812042/hava-chuckle-in-nassau-1.1612968


Thanks to WYVBC.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x514554


Better to HAVA Lever.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. surprising fact about touchscreens

up until 2005, North Carolina had about 7,400 touchscreen voting machines, more or less.
(in 40 of 100 counties)

At that time, it was assumed that touchscreen machines were necessary for/because of disabled voters.

Not that it made any sense about the touchscreen thing, after all, as that particular technology
didn't help the disabled voter.

Anyway,it turned out that NONE of the touchscreens/direct record machines in our state
were disabled accessible.

Not one.

That was up until 2005.

You have to pay a little extra to get a DRE/touchscreen that has disabled accessible features.
Like the audio ballot, for Pete's sake.

Around that time, we activists didn't know how much the machines were costing other states
as the contracts were top super-ty dooper secret.

But nada, zero, 0 zilch, big fat nothing, not one disabled accessible voting machine in
North Carolina.

[diva77]

2. I wonder what Tokaji would have to say about that. n/t

[Wilms]

3. Yep. Or Jim Dixon.

But let's lay it on the table. Four and half years ago I was jumping up and down advocating accessible voting. I now realize most people prefer voting people from home. Those with accessibility needs, even more so.

Meanwhile, the more significant accessibility barriers are things like stairs and narrow doors.

[diva77]

4. Meanwhile, services that are heavily used by disabled are being cut drastically

http://www.nypost.com/f/print/news/local/mta_votes_for_major_service_cuts_QvGEN0bX3vsN9drFSB5YUP

MTA votes for major service cuts to fill $383M budget gap

By Tom Namako, Transit Reporter

Last Updated: 7:31 PM, December 16, 2009

Posted: 11:56 AM, December 16, 2009

The MTA voted to make deep service cuts today, including nixing 52 bus routes and wiping out two train lines, in order to balance an upcoming budget after series of state and tax revenue shortfalls.

snip

The drastic service cuts approved by the MTA board today to close a $383 million budget gap - including eliminating dozens of subways and buses, and cutting free student rides and paratransit service - would already include 700 union layoffs.

snip

"It is really unfair that one huge group is not going to be affected by the economic downturn and another large group, for example, our youth and our disabled and working people are going to pay the price," she said.

snip

[Wilms]

5. Wow!

Awesome of you to realize and point out.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

6. Sumter FL: $60K per voter

FL: Sumter Elections office wants delay of Florida law
BUSHNELL -- You can say the cost adds up to about $60,000 per disabled voter in Sumter County.
...
Although the office said the county only has six voters that its deems as needing the disabled accessible machine, a law requires Florida counties to have the equipment for each of its precincts by 2012.
http://www.dailycommercial.com/localnews/story/121709machines

[Wilms]

7. NY wins! Yay! $205,882.35 per voter.

:cry:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. Well what'd ya expect? Its like buying a coke or hamburger in NY

it is gonna cost about a gazillion times more than it does somewhere else.

[Wilms]

9. That's why eat pizza. n/t