Electronic Voting Machines Issue Goes To Court
Aug 11, 2007 11:43 am US/Central
http://cbs11tv.com/politics/local_story_223134406.html
Electronic Voting Machines Issue Goes To Court
Democratic Party, State Officials Argue About Voting Machines
(AP) The Texas Democratic Party today argued that its lawsuit against the state over eSlate electronic voting equipment has merit and should proceed.
The dispute is being heard in federal court in Austin.
Lawyers for the Democrats contend the equipment, in some cases, doesn't properly record straight-party votes.
The suit also says the equipment doesn't collect and record votes the same as other systems in Texas -- and thus violates the U.S. Constitution.
But state attorneys want U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks to side with them and stop the case before it goes to trial.
Lawyers for the Texas Secretary of State's Office say no constitutional right has been shown to have been violated.
Sparks didn't immediately rule.
The eSlate equipment, made by Hart InterCivic, is used in scores of counties throughout Texas, including Harris, Travis, Tarrant, Nueces and El Paso counties.