League of Women Voters Weighs in on Purchase of New Voting Equipment
The League of Women Voters of Westchester realizes the immense challenges that the Board of Elections faced in organizing and carrying out a primary election during the COVID-19 pandemic. The League presented our post-primary election input during the Board of Legislators’ public hearing on July 8, and provided recommended solutions to the legislators on July 13, as to how the non-partisan League could assist.
The League has since reached out to the Board of Elections (BOE) to meet and review these solutions. The League appreciates the due diligence conducted by both legislators and the BOE regarding the Dominion ICE voting machines and E-Poll Books and related technology. The League also recognizes the care and rigor taken by the Board of Legislators.
Through discussions with the BOE, technology demonstrations, conduct of the public hearing input meeting on July 8, conversations with local activist organizations and evaluation of research reports, legislators were able to formulate pros and cons and strategically assess risk versus reward.
The League maintains no position of support or opposition to the Dominion ICE voting machines. However, we learned that current technology and hardware has surpassed its useful life, and that the Board of Legislators was faced with a difficult decision of how to fund the purchase request of the BOE in light of the current financial issues facing the county. The League commends legislators and the BOE for finding a compromise to fund and purchase a lesser number of Dominion ICE voting machines, which will reduce the bond act by about 28 percent, and the additional number of E-Poll Books with related technology.
While perhaps this is not an ideal conclusion for many in the community, the League hopes this will alleviate a good number of prior election problems and provide voters with the services needed to achieve a successful 2020 General Election.
Kathy Meany,
President, League of Women Voters of Westchester
