MARCH 13, 2006

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EFFICIENCY, REFORM, AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE ULSTER COUNTY LEGISLATURE

Attendance:

Legislators Bischoff (Chairman), Bartels, Busick, Cummings, Liepmann, and Shapiro

Absent: Legislator Rodriguez

Also attending were concerned citizens Allan Wikman, Tom Kadgen, and Cheryl Gerber

The meeting convened at 7:10 pm.

There was one item on the agenda, a Resolution urging the New York State Board of Elections to promptly certify Precinct Based/Optical Scan voting systems for procurement by the local Boards of Elections and urging the Ulster County Board of Elections to select a PB/OS system as the new voting technology for Ulster County (copy attached).

Cheryl Gerber a Technical Marketing Specialist requested the opportunity to address the committee. Ms. Gerber detailed the problems with computer security and the problems that they could cause on computer based voting systems. Ms. Gerber strongly favors Paper Ballot / Optical Scan machines.

Bischoff moved the subject resolution, second by Bartels. There was extensive discussion on the merits of Paper Ballot / Optical Scan (PB/OS) versus Direct Recording Electronic machines.

There was a motion to amend the resolution by Cummings, second by Busick, to remove any preference for PB/OS. Ms. Cummings stated that we should let the state board of elections make their decision, and then if we do not like the decision, we should offer a resolution. Motion failed 2-4 with Cummings and Busick voting in favor.

After further discussion, the motion to move the subject resolution forward to the full legislature passed 4-2 with Cummings and Busick voting Nay.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17.

Respectfully submitted:

Gary Bischoff