paper ballots/election day

[irishbobcat]

From Progressohio.org:

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Friday issued a directive (PDF) for all counties using electronic touch-screen voting machines to provide back-up paper ballots in the Nov. 4, 2008 general election.

"On Nov. 4, 2008, we will continue preparing for success by relying on our proven back-up paper ballot best practice for touch-screen counties. These back-up paper ballots will help alleviate the potential for long lines, emergencies and machine failures," Secretary Brunner said. 

Secretary Brunner is building on the successful use of back-up paper ballots in the March primary.

As documented in the Secretary of State's March Primary Report, boards of elections across Ohio faced emergencies ranging from flooding and ice storms to power outages and bomb threats during the March primary. Back-up paper ballots allowed voting to continue despite these emergencies. 

"Just as we did in the March primary, we anticipate using federal funding to fully reimburse county boards of elections for this vital voting best practice," Secretary Brunner said.

In addition to being available during emergencies, paper ballots will provide poll workers with a "safety valve" in an election where many observers anticipate a historic voter turnout of 80 percent.  With back-up paper ballots, touch screen counties can provide an orderly and efficient alternative means of voting in the event of long lines on Election Day.

According to Friday's directive, Ohio touch-screen precincts will need to provide back-up paper ballots equal to 25 percent of the precinct turnout in the 2004 general election.  Poll workers will have the option of asking voters if they want a paper ballot, but will not be required to do so. The Secretary of State's office will, however, provide four informational posters which must be prominently displayed in each polling location, alerting voters to the paper ballot option.
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Write-in Dennis Spisak for Congress- Ohio's 6th district

http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com