Voter says she's too old to use new machines

Varied e-voting systems prepare for biggest test
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By Rich Cholodofsky
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, November 1, 2006


Last May's spring primary was like an opening night, a chance to work out the bugs for a long engagement.
Southwestern Pennsylvania elections officials insist they've done just that and are ready for the next show, when voters go to the polls Tuesday using new computerized voting systems in most Pennsylvania counties.

"We had a lot of people who were older and once we talked them through, they were fine," said Mildred Krinock, a poll worker in Derry Township. "I'm anxious to see what happens this time, if they come back and breeze through faster this time."

Officials say they anticipate a more streamlined system because voters will have an easier time using the machines and poll workers will have a better idea of how to set up the machines, operate them and then return them to election bureaus so the votes can be counted...


For those counties that purchased entirely new systems, the changes were due to a federal mandate that required counties to eliminate all old-style voting systems. The new, computerized voting machines had to be operational by last May's primary.

For about 50 years, Jean Semenko voted by pulling a lever.

Last May, she cast her ballot using a new touch-screen computer.

"I don't trust them. They can be too easily fixed," said Semenko, 73, of Greensburg. "I have a problem adjusting to anything computerized. I think I'm too old."