November 4, 2008 7:20 PM

ELECTION PROTECTION 2008: In Florida and Virginia, Malfunctioning Machines Trying Voters' Patience

Posted by David Bario

After Florida's hanging and dimpled chads became a national embarrassment in 2000, the state quickly began replacing its voting machines.

Unfortunately, at least 35 precincts in 15 Florida counties today reported problems with the optical scanning machines that took the place of the state's old punch card systems, according to monitors with Election Protection.  As a backup, poll officials are providing voters with paper ballots, which are then placed in internal lock boxes inside the machines. But Florida officials are encountering a major unforeseen: With turnout so high the lock boxes are overflowing.

"A lot of them are stuffing the ballots in duffel bags, or even piling them on the floor," says Jon Greenbaum, an Election Protection monitor from the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "It's not the most secure place."

With polls on the east coast beginning to close, machine failures, combined with long lines, have emerged as perhaps the dominant concern among election monitors. In Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere around the country, monitors say faulty machines are keeping voters waiting for hours.

"The system is supposed to be built to handle the highest turnout that election officials anticipate," says Greenbaum, "We are very concerned about ballot shortages in Virginia." Lawyers with Election Protection have urged Virginia authorities to keep the polls open later--particularly in Chesapeake, where waits have been up to seven hours.

The final message from Election Protection headquarters before polls close? Stay in line. "You waited 22 months to cast these ballots," says Jonah Goldberg, director of the Voting Rights Project for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "Please wait a little longer."

Election Protection 2008: Living Blogging by David Bario

Facebook, Text Messaging Used To Suppress Votes
With new, younger voters expected to turnout in massive numbers today, election monitors say they're seeing a whole new wave of voter suppression techniques aimed at the Facebook generation.

Lines? What Lines?
Greenberg Traurig's Hayden Dempsey, the Florida chair of Lawyers for McCain, says reports of a deluge of voters in his state are exaggerated.

Going Solo
While the majority of lawyers who have signed on to help monitor the presidential election are working with their parties or established organizations, some have struck out on their own. Dewey & Leboeuf partner John Nonna has done just that.

Worrisome Reports Coming From Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida
Monitors for the Election Protection network say that the most worrisome reports so far are coming from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and (big surprise) Florida.

Live Blogging From DLA's Election Protection Central
Election Day is here, and an army of lawyers is in place to monitor voting throughout the U.S. AmLaw reporter David Bario reports live from DLA Piper's Election Protection HQ in Washington, DC.

Make a comment

Comments (0)
Save & Share: Facebook | Del.ic.ious | | Email |

Reprints & Permissions

Post a comment

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In

You are currently signed in as (nobody). Sign Out

Name:

Email Address:(Not displayed with comment.)

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: