GOVERNOR CRIST ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR FUNDING PAPER TRAIL VOTING MACHINES

February 1, 2007

Contact:

ERIN ISAAC
(850) 488-5394

DELRAY BEACH – Governor Charlie Crist today announced his budget recommendation of $32.5 million to establish a paper trail for all votes cast in Florida elections. The funds would replace touch-screen voting machines with optical scan machines in all precincts statewide. Also, devices would be added to create a paper trail for all touch-screen machines used to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Governor Crist’s proposed funding will cover 100 percent of the cost of the machines.

“My recommended budget would allow a verifiable paper trail of Florida’s voting system, without placing a financial burden on county taxpayers,” said Governor Crist. “Our goal is to increase voter confidence and ensure Floridians have confidence in the voting process.”

Governor Crist made the announcement at a meeting of the Voters Coalition at the South County Civic Center in Delray Beach. The Voters Coalition is an organization of voter advocacy groups. He was joined by Lt. Governor Kottkamp, U.S. Representative Robert Wexler and Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning.

“Through this proposal, every Floridian will be able to go to the polls with total confidence that their vote will be counted on Election Day,” said Congressman Wexler. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Crist, Florida now leads the way in election integrity – with the guarantee of a paper trail for all votes cast.”

During optional early voting when multiple ballots must be available at centralized voting locations, counties may choose to use touch-screen technology, which enables greater efficiency. The device added to each touch-screen machine would provide a paper trail that can be reviewed by every voter to insure the accountability of every vote cast.

“Optical scan voting systems have a proven track record for accuracy in Florida’s elections,” said Secretary Browning. “Also, adding verification to touch-screen voting will provide a paper trail that can be utilized for any recount.”

“Enhancing the reliability of Florida’s elections is essential to protecting every Floridian’s right to vote,” said Lt. Governor Kottkamp. “Governor Crist’s proposal will go a long way toward ensuring that each person’s vote is counted.”

Details of Governor Crist’s recommended budget will be released on Friday, February 2, 2007. Visit www.myflorida.com <http://www.myflorida.com> and click on “The People’s Budget.”