Election turnout prompts concerns for Nov.-Election officials ask for more machines

[babylonsister]

Turnout prompts concerns for Nov.
Election officials ask for more machines

By Richard Wolf
USA TODAY


Record turnout in this year's presidential primaries has election officials worried about possible shortages of machines, ballots and poll workers in November.

In 17 of the 24 primaries held so far, turnouts were larger than any in the past 40 years, the result of competitive Democratic and Republican contests and earlier primaries. Paper ballots ran out from California to the District of Columbia, more poll workers were needed in Arizona and a voter registration database crashed in Connecticut.

"The biggest problem during the primary season has been too many voters," says Doug Chapin, director of electionline.org, which tracks voting issues. "Time and time again, the problem has been turnout being up higher than even the most optimistic projection."

Now officials from Virginia to Texas are warning that they will need more voting machines in the fall to avoid long lines. It's not clear whether county or state officials will pay for additional machines.

"This could be a tsunami coming," says Kimball Brace of Election Data Services.

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http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080229/1a_lede29_dom.art.htm

[LiberalAndProud]

1. This is a good news-bad news kind of thing.

40-year record breaker is SO COOL!

Inadequate voting facilities? God help us.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. This is a good news-bad news kind of thing.

40-year record breaker is SO COOL!

Inadequate voting facilities? God help us.