February 7, 2005
Adding E-Voting Printers Could Cost $23 Million, Counties Say
Some jurisdictions have paper-trail capability included in their costs already. Others will have to find the money, but may be reimbursed.
By Stuart Pfeifer, Times Staff Writer
Local election officials in California say they may have to pay between $18 million and $23 million to comply with a state law requiring printed records of ballots cast on electronic voting machines.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, addressing concerns about the reliability of touch-screen voting machines, signed a law last year that required installation of the printers by Jan. 1, 2006.
Even if state or federal funds eventually cover the cost of the printers, counties may have to pick up the tab initially, officials say.
Five of the 13 counties with electronic voting systems say their suppliers will make the changes at no additional cost because the printers were part of their original contracts. But other counties are wondering where they'll find the money. Orange County estimates it will cost $9 million to make the changes. Riverside County estimates its cost at between $3.4 million and $4.7 million, and Alameda County may have to pay between $5 million and $8 million.
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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-machines7feb07,1,7749630.story?coll=la-news-politics-california