Election audit shows optical scan machines nearly accurate
Wednesday, 12/03/08 7:34am
Bob Kinzel - Montpelier, VT
Options
(Host) Secretary of State Deb Markowitz says an audit of optical scan voting machines shows the machines accurately tabulated votes on Election Day.
Under state law, the Secretary of State's office must randomly select four towns for the post- election audit.
Optical machines electronically scan and tabulate paper ballots that have been marked by voters.
Markowitz says the random audits are an important way to test the accuracy of the machines.
(Markowitz) ``All through the system, we have in place safeguards to make sure that our elections are completely accurate. And, of course, everyone in Vermont marks a paper ballot when they vote, so we're not relying on electronic voting machines. Nevertheless, it makes sense to have an audit to insure against problems."
(Host) Markowitz says results of the audit essentially matched the ballot totals from Election Day. The only discrepancies were three ballots that were rejected by the machines because they had multiple markings on them.
(Markowitz) ``It's essentially a hand recount ... and then we look to see if the numbers are the same as what was reported on election night. And, indeed, it was."
(Host) The audit reviewed the races for governor and lieutenant governor in Barnet, Brattleboro, Rockingham and Stowe.
VPR Headlines
- UVM Basketball Poised For Big Weekend Saturday, 03/13/10 9:40am
- Vermont Senate Tables Donor Anonymity Bill Friday, 03/12/10 5:50pm
- Leahy Supports Change To Senate Filibuster Rule Friday, 03/12/10 5:50pm
- Eye On The Sky's Mark Breen Co-authors Kids' Weather Book Friday, 03/12/10 5:30pm
- Statehouse Schedule Tuesday, 03/16/10 10am
Vermont Edition
- Banning Hospital Advertising Monday, 03/15/10 Noon and 7pm
- Sen. Patrick Leahy Friday, 03/12/10 Noon and 7pm
- School District Consolidation Thursday, 03/11/10 Noon and 7pm
Commentaries
More from Bob Kinzel
Leahy Supports Change To Senate Filibuster Rule
Friday, 03/12/10 5:50pm - VPR News
Sen. Patrick Leahy
Friday, 03/12/10 Noon and 7pm - Vermont Edition
Bill Seeks To Create Marijuana Dispensaries
Friday, 03/12/10 7:34am - VPR News
Douglas Opposes Provisions Of Highway Safety Legislation
Wednesday, 03/10/10 5:50pm and Thursday, 03/11/10 6:34am - VPR News
Special Commission Would Study Affordable Health Care For All Vermonters
Tuesday, 03/09/10 5:50pm and Wednesday, 03/10/10 7:04am - VPR News
© Copyright 2009, VPR
This is the online edition of VPR News. Text versions of VPR news stories may be updated and they may vary slightly from the broadcast version.















