The secretary of state’s office has certified the last of three voting-machine vendors, easing some concerns over whether Colorado counties will be ready for the August gubernatorial primaries.
“Until we did our certification, there was always some concern, you know: ‘What if I pick a vendor that won’t get certified?”‘ secretary of state’s office spokeswoman Dana Williams said. “So now, with those questions answered, it really should help alleviate some concern for the clerks.”
The move gives the OK for the state’s clerk and recorders to put in orders for the thousands of machines needed before voters head to polls in the August primaries. It also makes it much less likely that state legislators will push for an all-mail-ballot election.
“It’s good news,” said Denver Clerk and Recorder Wayne Vaden. “It means now, some of our main assumptions have come true.”
While the certifications have been welcomed, clerks say they are still under the gun. New machines still have to be ordered, shipped and tested, and staff needs to be trained.
“All the same issues remain,” Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Scott Doyle said. “Although the equipment is certified, it doesn’t take away that we still have to purchase it, have it arrive, use the new software, test it, make sure everything is working and all that.”
Clerks have raised concern over delays caused by state and federal regulations on voting machines.
The federal Help America Vote Act requires every polling place to have a voting machine that is accessible for people with disabilities. A state law passed last year prohibits counties from buying new machines unless they generate a paper voter record.
Vendors had to design machines that complied with both regulations. Nervousness over the delay is compounded in areas such as Denver where election officials are planning to switch from the traditional polling place elections to concentrated “vote centers.”
Williams said vendors have agreed to deliver machines to clerks no later than June 1.
“We’re moving along,” she said. “We have been working very hard with the vendors to make sure they have enough equipment for the clerks.”
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-820-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
