Reply #2: State won't penalize Volusia for rejecting touch-screens

[Wilms]

State won't penalize Volusia for rejecting touch-screens

By Kevin P. Connolly

Sentinel Staff Writer

Posted June 8, 2005

DELAND -- The Volusia County Council's surprise rejection this week of touch-screen voting machines for disabled people has prompted anger, praise and curiosity, but County Chairman Frank Bruno was breathing a little easier after talking to state officials late Tuesday.

Bruno learned the state was not planning any sanctions against County Council members for voting down a contract Monday with Diebold Elections Systems to get disability-accessible voting machines for elections after July 1.

But Bruno said the official reminded him about something he already knew: Monday's vote could open the door for a lawsuit from a disability-rights group if the county does not come into compliance before the next elections, which are Oct. 11 and Nov. 8.

And an official with a national disability group based in Washington, D.C., said the County Council's vote against touch-screens put Volusia on his radar screen.

-snip/more-

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-locvoting08060805jun08,0,5506080.story?coll=orl-news-headlines