LTE: MicroVote Machines Decertified in Indiana

This letter appeared in Sunday's Herald-Times (subscription required).

[Note: You can find the press release mentioned below at http://www.in.gov/sos/press/2008/040308.html]

With the approach of the next election, as you decide whether to vote electronically on a MicroVote Infinity, you might consider an April 4 release from the Indiana Secretary of State (contact: Bethany Derringer, 317-233-8655). The headline: “State Enforces Action against Errant Voting System Vendor/ Secretary of State Todd Rokita moves to collect fines and fees totaling more than $360,000.”

The release adds that on March 31, an administrative law judge of the Indiana Election Commission revoked the certification of MicroVote’s Infinity Voting System, and prohibited the company’s sale of voting systems in Indiana for five years.

The revocation concerned the company’s involvement with uncertified voting systems in 2005 and 2006. Nevertheless, the company may continue to support counties already equipped with the voting system.

Thus, although the judge revoked its certification, Monroe County voters can still use the MicroVote Infinity if they so choose. An alternative is to vote before Election Day by means of a paper ballot.

- JAMES ALLISON, Bloomington

I worked as an inspector in the May primary, and I was never aware that I was encouraging voters to cast their ballots on machines that were decertified. We were also told that the older machines would be retired before the fall election, and that more Infinity machines would be available. Since it's not legal to buy more Infinity machines, where will Monroe County obtain additional machines? We're going to continue to follow up on this story.