http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/032906/D8GLEA302.shtmlBy BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press Writer
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Attorney General Charlie Crist said Wednesday that his office has issued subpoenas to the three companies certified to sell voting machines in Florida as he reviews a dispute between the firms and Leon County's elections supervisor.
Diebold Election Systems Inc., Election Systems & Software Inc., and Sequoia Voting Systems Inc. have refused to sell equipment to let disabled voters cast ballots without help in Leon County. Elections supervisor Ion Sancho has been outspoken about his concern that the devices can be easily manipulated to change race outcomes.
The subpoenas are seeking information about whether the companies agreed among themselves not to do business with Leon County, which is in violation of the federal Help American Vote Act without the equipment.
"It is critical for our democratic process to work efficiently and effectively, but of most importance, fairly," Crist said. "These subpoenas are to ensure that the rights of our voters with disabilities as well as all Florida voters are secured."
Take this with a grain of salt. Charlie Crist (R) is running for Governor of Florida. It may just be a smoke screen. Then again he may turn up evidence that even he can't ignore.