Reply #38: Kansas City Election Board chooses Diebold.

[evlbstrd]

This is from a friend who has been very active on the voting machine issue.

The unspeakable has happened. Joe M. spoke with Dave
Helling at the KC Star and tipped me off to this:

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/13361617.htm

Turns out the vote was UNANIMOUS for Diebold--because
of cost. I was also able to get this further info:

* The Board did consider the testimony at the Oct. 20
hearing, and Sequoia was the second choice.
* After much discussion, the Board had to take a
10-minute recess before voting.
* One consideration was that Cass, Clay, Platte, and
Johnson Counties all use Diebold (so let's just go
ahead and give them a monopoly, huh?)
* Steve Glorioso, a rep. from the City Council, said
that 5 members of the Council already vote on Diebold
machines (in other jurisdictions), so KCEB would have
a lot of explaining to do not to go with them (as they
underbid everyone else AND are giving the Board $$ to
switch).
* Jackson County is going with Inkavote because of
cost considerations (Hmm. That raises questions.)
* Dave did not know if Jackson Co is going with a DRE
as well.

Contracts have not been signed, and the heat under
Diebold is turning into a bonfire, so don't consider
this a lost cause! We can still lobby the Board, but
more importantly--we can WARN residents and encourage
them to lobby, too.

Can anyone meet Saturday at 3:30 at Californos to talk
about what to do? I know Nancy's ready to go door to
door on this issue. We can also hold protests. Bring
your creativity.

If you're from outside the KC area--we'd love to hear
your advice on this, particularly if you have gone or
are currently going through the same thing.