Grayson Criticizes Kentucky AG Stumbo for Lack of Support of Voter Verified Paper Records

August 08, 2007 -- (Frankfort, KY) On a day when thousands of Kentuckians read about Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s plan to provide greater accountability in Kentucky’s elections process, Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo again issued reckless allegations to garner headlines while stating that he does not support Voter Verified Paper Records (VVPRs) for Kentucky elections.

In a news release today, Stumbo stated that ballot scanners do not address security concerns, although voting advocacy groups across the country consistently state that optical and digital scanners are the best form of voting equipment available. Optical and digital scanners are routinely cited as the optimal form of VVPRs.

“The State Board of Elections, County Clerks, and my Office routinely take actions to make Kentucky’s elections more fair, secure, and efficient,” commented Grayson. “I am severely disappointed that General Stumbo would make uninformed and ill-advised comments that might potentially decrease trust in the democratic process. Kentucky should be moving towards a paper-based voting system, not scaring voters away from it.”

In a press release issued on August 7, 2007, Stumbo asked the State Board of Elections to decertify a number of voting systems used in Kentucky, although the Kentucky State Board of Elections followed the law to certify those systems. In a letter to General Stumbo, Secretary Grayson stated:

“All systems in use in Kentucky today were unanimously certified by the State Board of Elections pursuant to KRS 117.379 and comply with the federal voting system guidelines in place at the time of certification. “

Stumbo today also issued a threat to sue voting machine vendors if they do not immediately upgrade their voting systems to meet California standards although Kentucky law requires that they first be certified under federal guidelines set by the Elections Assistance Commission (EAC). Grayson also sent the vendors a letter reminding them of the stringent laws Kentucky has in place so that changes to Kentucky’s voting systems are not rushed and are thoroughly examined before they are implemented. Before Kentucky can approve any changes to voting systems, those changes must be certified by the EAC. To read the letters, please click here and here.

“Kentucky voters should be leery of comments questioning the reliability of voting systems, because Kentucky has some of the best safeguards against vote tampering in the country,” noted Grayson. “I will only take actions to strengthen our elections, not undermine them through hurried decision-making and irresponsible comments.”

Source: Kentucky Secretary of State

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