STATES: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Three of the Northeast's 10 states (New York, Connecticut and Maryland) warrant watching on Election Day, according to Electionline.org, but it's likely that all eyes will be on Maryland. While the continuing watchdog efforts of computer scientist and poll worker Avi Rubin have brought a certain amount of attention there, machine meltdowns, political attacks and general ugly behavior appear to be making an impression even on casual observers in the state -- with possible effects on voter turnout. Only Maryland's lack of a close national race keeps the Old Line State from overshadowing most other vote-integrity issues in the country on Nov. 7.
However, there's plenty of excitement elsewhere. Three of the four states sued by the Department of Justice this year for noncompliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) are in the Northeast (New York, New Jersey and Maine). A tight race and questionable HAVA compliance make Connecticut interesting, and the very late announcement that Massachusetts will use this election to test-drive three types of e-voting equipment have rattled nerves in the Bay State. Finally, four states (Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) are trying out a new vote-by-phone system -- technology that has undergone even less testing than DREs.
CONNECTICUT
Registered voters
Approx. 1,695,000
Voting equipment vendors
Diebold, IVS
Technologies
Optical scan, vote by phone, lever.
Legal requirements
State law requires voter-verifiable paper records and manual audits in randomly selected precincts. At least some of Connecticut's 169 cities and towns will still be using lever machines, which are HAVA-noncompliant. Connecticut is also one of six states using new vote-by-phone technology this year.
Voter registration database
Statewide database built by PCC Technology Group.
Government links
- Secretary of the State
- Request for Proposals, Electronic Voting Machines (PDF format)
- HAVA plan (PDF format)
Watchdog sites
- True Vote Connecticut
In the news
- New voting machines to debut, Windsor Journal, Oct. 26, 2006
- Former mayor assisting with voting technology, New Britain Herald, July 27, 2006
- Officials air voting machine concerns, Waterbury Republican-American, April 14, 2006
Return to the main map for Election 2006: Can we count on e-voting?
DELAWARE
Registered voters
Approx. 415,000
Voting equipment vendor
Danaher
Technology
Direct-Recording Electronic (DRE)
Legal requirements
No voter-verifiable paper trail requirement, no requirement for manual audits of randomly selected precincts. Neither has been proposed.
Voter registration database
Second state in the nation to implement a statewide computerized database (1968); system updated for HAVA compliance.
Government links
- State of Delaware Voter Services
- Electronic Voting Machines (how-to guides including video)
- Final HAVA plan (PDF format )
Return to the main map for Election 2006: Can we count on e-voting?
MAINE
Registered voters
Approx. 824,000
Voting equipment vendors
Diebold, ES&S, IVS
Technologies
Hand count, optical scan, vote by phone.
Legal requirements
State legislation mandates a voter-verifiable paper record, but there is no requirement that precincts be randomly selected for manual auditing. Maine is one of six states using new vote-by-phone technology this year.
Voter registration database
Central Voter Registration rolling out in fall 2006 after DOJ filed suit to accelerate process; suit settled in July. Maine registrations were previously managed at local level. Contracted with Quest Information Systems.
Government links
- eDemocracy
- HAVA information and updates
In the news
- Registered voter list errors might impede some, The Associated Press, Oct. 26, 2006
- Voting system to debut on Nov. 7, Sun-Journal, Sept. 11, 2006
- Justice Department Announces Agreement to Protect Voting Rights in Maine, DOJ press release, July 28, 2006
Return to the main map for Election 2006: Can we count on e-voting?