Democracy NC: NCSBE Decision to Reconsider Pro-Voter Machine Modifications “Disappointing”

Following Monday night’s bipartisan N.C. State Board of Elections decision (a 3-2 vote) to only certify those voting machines that allow voters to verify their choices, the State Board appears to be waffling. The Board today announced a third meeting this week – this time on Thursday, August 1, at 11 a.m. — to stop this important step and certify new voting machines “as-is,” without this important modification.

ACT NOW to demand the N.C. State Board KEEP ITS PROMISE to take steps to secure our voting machines and ensure public confidence >>

Democracy North Carolina’s Tomas Lopez released the following statement in response:

“We’re disappointed that the N.C. State Board appears to be waffling on its decision to only certify those voting machines that allow voters to verify their choices,” said Lopez.

“Now's the time for the Board to keep its promise and move forward with the important first step to require that voting systems produce a paper ballot that is reviewable and verifiable by the voter.” –Tomas Lopez, Democracy NC

“This week hundreds of voters contacted the Board in support of certifying only machines that allow for hand-marked paper ballots or delaying certification until pro-voter modifications could be made to the current certification program. Now’s the time for the Board to keep its promise and move forward with the important first step to require that voting systems produce a paper ballot that is reviewable and verifiable by the voter.”

Lopez added: “Alternatively, the Board should certifying the machine tabulators for hand-marked ballots generally, and ballot-marking devices with the stipulation that they are used by voters with disability needs.”