Tuesday, February 5, 2013
St. Charles County Council will consider the purchase of 260 new machines at the February council meeting.
St. Charles County may spend $810,000 on 260 new electronic voting machines. Director of the Election Authority Rich Chrismer said some of the current optical scan lasers don't read ballots as they should. "Things are just wearing out," he said. Timing on this issue is key. The county can take advantage of a $129,000 grant, but must approve the purchase of the new machines by Feb. 14. In 2013, the county could get another nearly $50,000 grant for a total savings of about $180,000. The cost for 260 machines would be $810,000. Chrismer said he has saved the money for seven years to replace the machines by leasing them out to other areas. Last year, County Executive Steve Ehlmann vetoed spending $1.2 million to purchase new equipment …
Thursday, March 29, 2012
County Executive Steve Ehlmann says federal involvement has driven up election costs. Election Authority Director Rich Chrismer says he's trying to avert equipment failure during balloting.
For the second time, St. Charles County send out bids for 260 optical scan voting machines. The council lacked the five votes necessary during its Monday meeting to override County Executive Steve Ehlmann’s veto on buying 260 voting machines for $1.2 million. So, the council opted to re-bid the items. Council members Terry Hollander, Ward 5, and Paul Wynn, Ward 4, were absent. Election Authority Director Rich Chrismer said the bid results will be the same. “We will get only one bid,” he said. “There are no other companies. Is that a shame that only one company can bid in the state of Missouri? Sure it is.” Chrismer said only one vendor is certified under 2005 standards by both federal and state government to sell the voting machines, and …
Monday, March 26, 2012
County Executive Steve Ehlmann vetoed a voting machines purchase that would cost $1.2 million. Election Authority Director Rich Chrismer argues the veto interferes with him performing his duties.
The St. Charles County Council may vote on overriding a veto on purchasing voting system equipment for $1.2 million during its 7 p.m. meeting Monday. County Executive Steve Ehlmann vetoed the bill after the council approved it 4-1 during its last purchase. He objected to having one bidder on such a large purchase. Ehlmann blamed federal and state regulations for creating a system in which just one company is certified to sell voting machines in the state. Ehlmann said the county should hold off on the purchase until another company is authorized to sell the equipment so they can receive a competitive bid. Henry M. Adkins & Son was the only bidder. Election Authority Director Rich Chrismer said they are the only company certified to sell …
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The county executive said the county should get more than one bid for such a large purchase.
County Executive Steve Ehlmann vetoed a bill Wednesday that would spend nearly $2 million for new election machines. Director of Elections Rich Chrismer requested the expenditure in late February. Councilman Joe Cronin, R-District 1, was the only council member to vote against the bid. One of his objections was the absence of competing bids. “I believe that the director of elections should be given deference in determining the need to replace equipment and which machines to purchase,” Ehlmann said. “However, under the Charter, they are subject to county government regulations when it comes to personnel and purchasing.” Ehlmann said the issue is not with voting machines or with Chrismer, but with getting one bid for such a large purchase. …
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
St. Charles County would spend $1.2 million for 260 new voting machines, but Councilman Joe Cronin says the purchase isn't prudent.
- GOVERNMENT
- Joe Scott
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012
St. Charles County will spend $1.2 million on new voting machines, but one county councilman thinks they would be better off keeping the old machines. The County Council voted 4-1 on Monday to approve the purchase of 260 optical scan machines that read paper ballots, two for each of 121 precincts and 18 emergency backups. Half of the machines are disability-capable. The bill still needs to be signed by County Executive Steve Ehlmann. If he vetoes the bill, it could be overridden by a five-vote council majority. Councilman Terry Hollander had stepped out of the room and was unavailable during Monday's roll call vote. Rich Chrismer, the St. Charles County Election Authority director, said he had budgeted money in the last six years to pay …
Torsten Deklerski
5:41 am on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Hello, I'm from Germany. In Germany it's absolutely unthinkable to use voting machines for a election. Why this is possible in the U.S.? The risk of manipulation is still very high, isn't it? more ›