An electronic touch-screen voting system for Kane County is being recommended to replace punch-card ballots next year, despite the lack of an implementation timetable and lingering questions on funding and certification for the new device.
A special elections subcommittee voted Tuesday to recommend that the Executive Committee of the Kane County Board review a nearly $3 million proposal to lease a direct-response electronic voting system called eSlate. The system, made by Hart InterCivic of Austin, Texas, was used in nine states during November’s general election.
The committee is scheduled to review the recommendation May 4.
In addition to replacing punch-card balloting, the Hart electronic system would bring Kane into compliance with a federal mandate to, among other things, provide assistance-free balloting countywide for voters with disabilities.
As an alternative, the subcommittee also recommended that County Board leaders review a slightly less-expensive back-up proposal for a voting system that combines optical scan technology for general voting with a limited electronic option solely for use by handicapped voters.
According to County Board member Gerald Jones (D-Aurora), head of Kane’s Elections Subcommittee, the alternative from Fidlar Cos. of west suburban Lisle is recommended because the state Board of Elections has yet to certify any electronic systems for use in Illinois, including eSlate.
“And that’s the rub,” Jones said. “It has been [certified] in other places.”
The state board has certified some systems but none like eSlate, said Executive Director Daniel White.
“We haven’t certified any of those. We have proposed rules–we have been working on those for about a year–and I’m hoping to put those to the board at its meeting in May for board consideration and … hopefully for adoption,” White said.
After a public review and comment period and adoption, the board can begin certification, he said.
White said he hopes a certification process is in place in time for the state to approve electronic systems for the March 2006 primary.
Additionally, there is uncertainty over whether the county can legally commit funds over as long as 10 years to cover the local cost of installing a new voting system, he said.
“We are looking at a possible long-term lease, and we are not sure we can do that,” said Jones.
A state’s attorney’s opinion on the issue is being sought, he said.
“The reality is the [County] Board can reject everything and stay with punch cards,” Jones said.
Federal law requires voting systems be upgraded for handicapped accessibility by Jan. 1 and encourages replacement of punch cards by November 2006. Kane stands to receive about $1 million to supply one assistance-free voting station at each polling place and an estimated $667,000 to retire punch-card voting.
“We are going to have to spend some money one way or another,” Jones said.
The Aurora Election Commission, which has jurisdiction over most city precincts, has not made a decision about replacing punch cards.
Although it is monitoring the county’s proposal, there is no commitment by the commission to follow the county’s lead, said Executive Director Carole Holtz.
“I’m scared to buy something that’s not certified,” Holtz said.
Opting for an electronic system and pressing the state to certify it is imperative, said Kane County Clerk John “Jack” Cunningham.
With the next election just more than 11 months away, Cunningham said the main problem he is considering “is one of time.”
“What we’re trying to come up with is a way to move this forward,” he said.
The proposed switch is certain to be opposed by at least a few County Board members who this month challenged the need to abandon punch cards.
“Going into something that isn’t certified … isn’t going to sit well with the whole board,” said board member Jackie Tredup (R-South Elgin), a subcommittee member.
“I don’t want us to rush into a situation where, in order to get some federal money, we spend millions to be a guinea pig,” said board member Bonnie Lee Kunkel (D-Aurora).
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bpresecky@tribune.com
