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New Computer Will Check Election Fraud
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Published: July 28, 2008
SEBRING - In years past, an overzealous citizen could vote early and often, casting a ballot in Lake Placid, then moving to polling places in Sebring, Avon Park and across Florida.
That's about to come to a screeching halt, said Elections Supervisor Joe Campbell. In time for early voting in August, Highlands County will employ the Electronic Voter Identification machine.
"You'll hand them your driver's license," said Campbell. "They'll scan it in."
Modern driver's licenses contain a black strip on the back, similar to credit cards. The magnetic strip contains citizenship and voting information.
The computer can compare the driver's license information with two databases, Campbell said. One is on the computer's disk, the other will come when all the driver's license scanners are on-line with the Florida Division of Elections in Tallahassee.
"It tells us everything we have on that person," said Norma Stokes, the assistant election supervisor. Including the home address.
The election official can compare the driver's license signature with the one on the EVID computer.
"The driver's license signature should match the signature on the EVID," Stokes said. If it doesn't, the voter can still cast a provisional ballot, and decide later whether it will count.
Election officials can also check whether the voter has more than one address.
"It's going to cut down on the number of phone calls we get on election day," said Campbell.
Until the Aug. 26 primary, election officials are also sending out mail to check addresses of registered voters.
"If it comes back to us, we are checking to find out if we can locate that person," Stokes said.
Voters can change addresses by calling her office, Stokes said. "We can take that over the phone."
An outreach coordinator is visiting the mall and other venues, hoping to register voters, and asking businesses which have electronic signs to advertise the Aug. 26 primary.
She's also sending out absentee ballots.
"We just sent out the first big wave," Stokes said.
By the way, Campbell warned, voter fraud is a felony.
Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863 386-5828
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