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Jennifer Brunner discusses concerns of election
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Feb 11, 2008
When Jennifer Brunner campaigned for secretary of state, she promised to study the reliability of Ohio's election system.
She made good on this pledge with a study released in December that recommended changing to optical scan — in which voters fill out paper ballots that are then scanned. That means chucking the touch-screen machines used in most counties.
The study has resulted in lawsuits, an outcry from some county election officials — questioning whether the changes are needed and who will pay for them — and a backlash from Republicans.
Brunner is a Democrat who turned 51 on Super Tuesday. Her husband, Rick, is from Alliance.
The Beacon Journal talked to her about Ohio's election system and how the planned changes could affect Ohio in the March 4 primary and November general election.
Q: Why did you think it was important to examine Ohio's election system?
Please see Q&A, B2
Continued from Page B1
A: As I traveled the state during my campaign, there were a lot of people with questions about the reliability of touch-screen machines. I pledged to do a top-to-bottom review of all the systems in the state.
Q: What did this study show?
A: We saw major issues with performance. . . . Over time, the performance of the machines deteriorates. . . . The software itself was unstable. From a computer industry standpoint, the machines met one of 12 standards for security.
Q: What did the study find on the possibility of tampering?
A: This was one very disturbing finding — their vulnerability to tampering. The DRE (direct recording electronic or touch screen) was one model. . . . A PDA and magnet could be used to switch votes. A virus could be inserted into it, infecting the entire system. . . . While this might sound to some like science fiction, the fact that it was able to be done and there were not safeguards left us looking at a very substandard system.
Q: Why do you think that optical scan, the method used in Summit County, is preferable to the touch-screen (DRE) voting used in 57 Ohio counties, including Stark, Portage, Medina and Wayne?
A: Two main reasons. It is more verifiable. In Cuyahoga County, (which uses touch screens), in a random selection of precincts, 20 percent were unreadable. Second, it takes longer to vote on DRE. That means longer lines. DREs were not used in a presidential election in Ohio on a widespread basis. Where they were used in 2004, the lines were exceeding long. . . . A third reason is computers are expensive and become obsolete quickly. Optical scan does use computers but it's to a simpler degree than DREs.
Q: Election board officials in many counties with electronic voting, including those in our area, say it's worked for them and they don't want to change their voting method. What do you say to these counties?
A: What we need to do is to make the system operate as it should. That has occurred without uniform standards for change of custody. There are many counties that allow voting machines to be taken home by poll workers. This is done without precaution. In one county, there was a poll worker who voted in his living room. . . . That's very unacceptable.
Q: If any election boards refuse to convert to optical scan systems, what will you do?
A: The conversion to optical scan on a widespread basis would need to be funded. If funding is available from federal or state sources, the question remains, what certified machines are available? Counties can choose a machine. If we don't have funding, I won't decertify machines. If we do have funding, counties will not have the ability to retain DREs.
Q: In the March primary, will Summit County voters see any differences?
A: March will be as it's been in past elections.
Q: How about in Stark, Portage, Medina and Wayne counties?
A: If a voter does not want to vote DRE, they may request a paper ballot. They (elections boards) have been ordered to have them available. They won't be asked, ''Paper or plastic?'' If they want it, all they need to do is request it.
Q: What about in the November election — what will be different for local voters then?
A: If my plan is implemented, Summit will see no change. In the other counties, they will see a paper ballot at polling locations.
Q: Who would pick up the cost for changing to optical scan statewide?
A: We are seeking whatever federal funding is available and will be asking the legislature for the remainder. We're trying to be sensitive to being able to fund the changes needed so counties do not end up with an unfunded mandate.
Q: Given the budget shortfall that Gov. Ted Strickland recently announced, does this make it less likely that the state will be able to help with the cost?
A: We don't plan to ask for general revenue funding. Based on past precedent, we would be able to fund voting machines with capital expenditures.
Q: What happens next?
A: I will be working with election officials and the legislature on what the final recommendations should look like and — where I am comfortable — what would necessitate funding.
Q: If funding isn't available, what will happen then?
A: If we are forced to continue to use DREs that, under the study, were found to be less than reliable, we will have to take whatever measures are possible to mitigate this. . . . We may resort to lawn chairs and umbrellas (for long lines).
Q: The question most voters most care about is: Will my vote count? What would you tell them?
A: Yes, their vote will count. Our tests have shown that there are many more difficulties with electronic voting than optical scan in terms of being able to verify votes. . . . I will feel more comfortable with optical scan and paper ballots. If our electronic voting machines were as secure as ATMs or people's computers for e-mail, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
Q: When the dust settles on Nov. 5 — the day after the presidential election — will eyes again be on Ohio because of problems, or will the planned changes instead make the voting process go smoothly?
A: The planned changes are intended to make the voting process go smoothly. . . . It pains me to see pictures of people in interminably long lines. We are a sophisticated country. Voting machines can be efficient. We have resources. I think we have fallen down with the equipment that has been pushed on this country. But we can make the best of the situation and make our voting system a reflection of the fairness and consistency we expect in our democracy.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached
at 330-996-3705 or
swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
When Jennifer Brunner campaigned for secretary of state, she promised to study the reliability of Ohio's election system.
Get the full article here.
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