North Dakota voting systems thoroughly tested and reliable

ConradI hope you will take the time to read this Letter to the Editor from Cass County Auditor Mike Montplaisir that appeared in today's Fargo Forum.

Seems that once again Kristin Hedger's attacks are off the mark. Nothing new there.

North Dakota voting systems thoroughly tested and reliable
By Michael Montplaisir
Saturday, September 30, 2006

machines,” published Thursday, Sept. 21, in The Forum, I feel it is my duty as an election official in North Dakota and as a member of the committee responsible for selecting the election equipment used in North Dakota, to correct any existing misconceptions.

Since the passage of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), a number of people have been involved in planning the future of elections in the state. In 2003, the Legislature passed legislation accommodating the provisions of HAVA. Shortly thereafter, a statewide planning committee, which included representation from no fewer than 13 interest groups and private citizens, prepared a State Plan for HAVA compliance, which was reviewed and approved by the federal government.

With the state’s plan in place, a statewide election equipment procurement committee researched equipment options and proposals and hammered out contract details for new election equipment for the state. Before any equipment was implemented, the equipment was tested, certified and accepted by the state, and extensive training was provided for the state’s 53 county auditors and their staff.

Through all of this, North Dakota’s county auditors have been very active and have received the best possible support and training from the secretary of state and his staff.

By law, the counties test the software and equipment publicly prior to every election, and North Dakota has proactively addressed any potential election day issues by providing every county in the state “back-up” equipment ready to use if needed. Cass County has been using election equipment from Election Systems & Software (ES&S) of Omaha, Neb. since 1984, and during that time, there have been numerous recounts on close races…and there has never been a problem with the results on the equipment.

Cass County and all North Dakota voters are secure in knowing their counties and the state are continually working to ensure every vote counts.