Teresa Hommel, Chairwoman

10 St. Marks Place, New York NY 10003

212 228-3803

admin@wheresthepaper.org

March 14, 2007

For immediate release:

Contact:

Teresa Hommel

Task Force on Election Integrity, Community Church of New York

212 228-3803

Mary Lou Urban

League of Women Voters, New York City

718-335-1868

Neal Rosenstein

New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)

212-349-6460

Citizens and Organizations applaud Council Action on Voting Machines

Optical Scan Voting Systems Supported by Banner-Wearing Public

Supporters of paper ballot voting systems packed the steps of City Hall today, wearing red banners saying "Paper Ballots for New York -- No Electronic Voting!" The City Council is expected to pass Resolution 131 which urges the New York City Board of Elections to choose a paper ballot and optical scanner voting system to replace the city’s older mechanical voting machines. Resolution 131, introduced by Council Member Charles Barron, opposes the selection of computerized ATM-style voting machines.

"Paper ballots are more secure. Electronic voting machines have caused unsolvable problems in other states," said Teresa Hommel, Chairwoman of the Task Force on Election Integrity of Community Church of New York. "Voters can't see their own legal ballot inside the computer, and the paper trail can't tell us if the computer is recording and casting the votes correctly inside. One vote can be printed, and a different vote recorded -- or not recorded at all."

"Optical scanners are less complicated and confusing for voters and poll workers," said Mary Lou Urban of the League of Women Voters of New York City, which has advocated paper ballots and optical scanners for several years. "We may have increased turnout with paper ballots because voters will not be intimidated by the equipment."

"Computerized touch screen voting systems have caused trouble across the country and increase public cynicism about election results," said Neal Rosenstein of New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). "The Mayor now needs to publicly acknowledge that computers aren't the best voting technology, and to use his influence in support of safe, reliable and accessible paper ballot systems for all voters."

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