Denver City Council unanimously approved a $1.4 million federal grant Monday night to allow the city to buy electronic voting machines that are accessible to people with disabilities.
The money is earmarked to help Denver comply with the federally mandated Help America Vote Act. The city is expected to get a contract proposal as early as today to buy 240 machines from national vendor Sequoia.
At a public hearing Monday night, a handful of speakers implored the council to be wary of electronic voting machines.
“We have concerns about the quality and quantity of these machines,” said Bonnie Clarke of the League of Women Voters. “Go as slowly as you can in the belief that better systems are coming along.”
But the Denver Election Commission’s interim executive director, Alton Dillard, explained that the nature of the grant meant that the city would lose whatever funds it does not spend.
Councilwoman Kathleen Mac Ken zie requested Monday’s hearing because of concerns with security and accuracy. She would look closely at whether buying 240 machines is appropriate but for now said, “I don’t see any harm in accepting the money.”
Council president Rosemary Rodriguez – who recently tried to get the city to hold an all-mail-ballot election – said the federal mandate has forced the city to make important decisions under a time crunch, noting there are legitimate concerns about electronic voting.
“At some point,” she predicted, “I think mail ballots or paper ballots are going to be demanded by the voters.”
A contract proposal with Sequoia is expected at the mayor- council meeting today.
