PA: Monroe won't pay for voting machines

[Wilms]

December 26, 2005

Monroe won't pay for voting machines

U.S. wants county to fund half of $1.2 million. So far, the answer is no.

By Matt Birkbeck

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''We've budgeted no county money and we're not kicking in any cash,'' said Commissioner Chairwoman Donna Asure. ''We are looking at meeting the HAVA requirements by any other means other than costing local taxpayers.''

With a Jan. 1 deadline days away and no local funds in place, the commissioners know they are treading on dangerous ground, opening themselves up to a fight with the federal government. It is the only county in Pennsylvania to refuse to use local funding to pay for voting machines.

The Justice Department warned the commissioners a year ago that they ''must obey the law'' and could face a lawsuit if they don't comply.

But the commissioners remain as undaunted today as they did then, firmly resolved against paying for what they say is an unfunded mandate.

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http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_1havadec26,0,7160670.story?coll=all-newslocalbirths-hed