Heller defends ‘paper trail’ devices on voting machines

Thursday, March 11, 2004 | 9:38 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller says he is "deeply troubled" by criticism of his plans to go forward with purchase of "paper trail" devices on 4,500 new touch-screen voting machines.

He singled out Carson City Clerk Alan Glover, who questioned the wisdom of buying the paper trail devices, which are not certified by the federal government.

Heller said Wednesday that he believes some county clerks are more concerned with making their jobs easier than with producing elections that are more accurate, more secure and more valid.

With $9 million in federal funds, Heller is buying the touch-screen voting machines to install in Washoe and rural counties. Clark County already has the Sequoia model and has been using it for years.

Along with the new voting units, Heller wants to attach a "paper trail" device that would print out information on who the voter selected. The voter would see on paper, which would be under glass, the choices. The voter would then push the button to record his vote.

Glover, president of the State Association of Clerks and Recorders, said these paper trail units are not certified by the federal government. He said that places a legal cloud over the results.

"If you add something to a machine that is not certified, I think it throws the results of the elections right into the courts," Glover said.

He said there are no standards for certifying these devices. And using them, Glover said, jeopardizes the integrity of the election. He said the vote totals come off the paper trail and not having them certified is wrong.

Heller said he will get experts to inspect the machines to make sure the printing unit is functioning properly.

The secretary of state said a large number of voters who attended town hall meetings and contacted his office said they wanted to see a printer attached to the new voting machines.

But Glover said federal election officials say the standards for these paper trail units won't be ready for 2004 and may not be ready for the 2006 election.

Nevada would be the first state to use the paper trail devices.