Bysiewicz was joined by officials from LHS Associates, the company chosen earlier this month by the state to provide optical scan voting machines for Connecticut cities and towns. Optical scan voting technology, in which a voter fills out a paper ballot and then scans it into a machine for verification, is the most common form of voting technology in America today, with more than half of the counties in America voting on optical scan machines. Optical scan technology also provides a paper trail for every vote cast, in compliance with state law and the federal Help America Vote Act.
The visit to Torrington is the fourth of 18 scheduled regional visits throughout Connecticut to meet with local elections officials, demonstrate the new technology for them, and answer any questions they may have.
"As our office considered potential new technologies, the principles of security, accessibility and reliability guided our decision making," said Bysiewicz. "We chose LHS Associates' optical scan technical because this company provides a level of security needed to ensure the short-term and long-term integrity of our elections. Much like filling out a standardized test or even a lottery ticket, the practice of filling out an optical scan ballot is something with which most people are familiar. The machines will ultimately replace our lever voting machines; this year, some towns throughout the state will be able to receive them for the November election, and LHS will replace all of our lever machines by the November 2007 election.
"Federal funds will cover the $15.7 million cost of purchasing the new machines and providing the proper training for elections officials," Bysiewicz added. "We will work closely with registrars and town clerks to ensure that people receive the education and on-the-job training they need."
Bysiewicz also discussed the state's decision to sign a one-year contract with IVS, LLC, a company that will provide Connecticut telephone-based voting equipment which for the first time in 70 years will allow those citizens with disabilities to vote privately and independently. The state will use federal funds to provide the IVS technology, telephones, fax machines and secure telephone lines at all 769 of Connecticut's voting precincts for this November's election.
