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Division of Legislative Services > Legislative Record > 2005 |
SJR 371 - Joint Subcommittee to Study the Certification, Performance, and Deployment of Voting EquipmentMay 18, 2005The Joint Subcommittee to Study the Certification, Performance, and Deployment of Voting Equipment held its first meeting on May 18, 2005. The State Board of Elections' staff presented background information to the members on major topics regarding voting equipment changes. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC VOTING EQUIPMENT IN THE 2004 ELECTION Nationwide, 40 million of 121 million voters in the November 2, 2004, election voted on electronic equipment. The State Board did not receive any reports of problems with DRE (direct recording electronic) equipment in the election. Problems were reported in three Pennsylvania counties, leading to decertification of a Unilect Patriot machine. This machine is a different model from the Patriot used in some Virginia localities. There were problems reported in one county in North Carolina and one county in Ohio. There may have been other less widely reported instances of voting problems with DRE machines during the election. THE CURRENT CERTIFICATION PROCESS Currently, 19 voting systems are certified for use by Virginia localities, including eight DRE systems, with no applications for certification pending. The current certification process was presented to the members for review. SECURITY MEASURES The State Board has prepared its final voting systems security policy, standards, and guidelines for circulation to the localities on July 1. Follow-up training and workshop sessions are planned throughout the State. HAVA REQUIREMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS OF HAVA FUNDS The "Help America Vote Act of 2002" (HAVA) provides federal funds to states to improve election administration and replace outdated voting systems. Total HAVA funds for voting equipment allocated to Virginia equal $29,941,318. Eighty-one of 90 Virginia localities required by HAVA to replace punch card and lever equipment have done so involving $17,608,930 in HAVA funds. Sixteen of 44 localities required by HAVA to provide one accessible voting unit (DRE) per precinct have done so involving $1,734,279 in HAVA funds. Sixty-four and one-half percent of the $19,343,208 cited has been allocated to localities to date. The final date to meet HAVA requirements for voting equipment changes is January 1, 2006. The members viewed a tape presentation on the use of Sequoia Edge, a DRE system equipped with a printer to provide a voter verified paper audit trail or VVPAT. The Sequoia Edge system was used in Nevada during the 2004 presidential election. Members requested more information on the Sequoia Edge and the VVPAT experience in Nevada, as well as reactions from other states that have passed legislation mandating use of VVPAT. The members reviewed
a draft work plan and suggested three additional meetings during the 2005
interim. After approval by the chair and vice chair, a revised work plan
will be circulated to the joint Chairman: For information,
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Division of Legislative Services > Legislative Record > 2005
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