County Clerk
III. Problem Background
(continued)
Independant Voting
Pending federal (S511-McCain) and state (HB 1053-Yarbrough) legislation could radically change the requirements of voting systems regarding accessibility for all individuals, regardless of physical or mental disabilities. Current laws governing these issues include the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The pending bills have a good chance of passing and could mandate all voting systems be fully accessible as early as December 31, 2000, allowing all voters (including individuals with visual, physical, or mental disabilities) to vote independently, completely unassisted. The proposed federal legislation institutes attorneys' fees and fines for noncompliance. The elections community is sensitive to the issues and concerns raised by disabled individuals and is currently working to develop fiscal notes to determine cost to the taxpayers for the proposed mandate of compliant voting systems.
Additionally, recent litigation against some Texas counties is bringing to the forefront the issue of providing a secret ballot to visually impaired voters. Travis County's current optical scan voting system does not allow for visually impaired voters to vote completely unassisted and is thus not currently compliant with ADA. In all likelihood, Travis County will be faced with providing a different method of voting to accommodate these requirements or face court action.
Voter Population Growth
The registered voter population in Travis County has nearly doubled since 1987. The following table states past voter registration and projects future counts based on similar growth trends.
Table 2. Travis County Voter Registration Statistics and Projections
|
TRAVIS COUNTY |
|
|
# of Pcts |
Voter Registration |
Annual change |
|
1987-March |
|
Statistics |
178 |
278,726 |
|
|
1988-March |
Pres |
Statistics |
189 |
325,160 |
46,434 |
|
1989-March |
|
Statistics |
189 |
326,752 |
1,592 |
|
1990-March |
Gov |
Statistics |
197 |
338,705 |
11,953 |
|
1991-March |
|
Statistics |
197 |
306,526 |
-32,179 |
|
1992-March |
Pres |
Statistics |
201 |
331,632 |
25,106 |
|
1993-March |
|
Statistics |
201 |
361,283 |
29,651 |
|
1994-March |
Gov |
Statistics |
204 |
381,407 |
20,124 |
|
1995-March |
|
Statistics |
204 |
381,873 |
466 |
|
1996-March |
Pres |
Statistics |
213 |
422,869 |
40,996 |
|
1997-March |
|
Statistics |
213 |
463,104 |
40,235 |
|
1998-March |
Gov |
Statistics |
227 |
480,861 |
17,757 |
|
1999-March |
|
Statistics |
227 |
498,177 |
17,316 |
|
2000-March |
Pres |
Projected |
229 |
539,173 |
40,996 |
|
2001-March |
|
Projected |
229 |
579,408 |
40,235 |
|
2002-March |
Gov |
Projected |
239 |
597,165 |
17,757 |
|
2003-March |
|
Projected |
239 |
614,481 |
17,316 |
|
2004-March |
Pres |
Projected |
244 |
655,477 |
40,996 |
|
2005-March |
|
Projected |
244 |
695,712 |
40,235 |
|
2006-March |
Gov |
Projected |
249 |
713,469 |
17,757 |
|
2007-March |
|
Projected |
249 |
730,785 |
17,316 |
|
2008-March |
Pres |
Projected |
254 |
771,781 |
40,996 |
|
2009-March |
|
Projected |
254 |
812,016 |
40,235 |
|
2010-March |
Gov |
Projected |
259 |
829,773 |
17,757 |
|
2011-March |
|
Projected |
259 |
847,089 |
17,316 |
Purchased in 1991 when the Travis County registered voter count was 306,526 and the number of precincts 195, the current optical scan voting system was originally designed to complete or substantially complete counting ballots by 10:00 PM. As Travis County's population grows, the current system's ability to meet these standards diminishes. With the registered voter count now around 500,000 people in 227 precincts and Travis County growth showing no signs of slowing, a typical general election exceeds the current ballot counting system's capacity and does not meet Travis County's standard of timeliness.
Also, the emergence of a positive new trend of holding optical scan joint elections with two or more jurisdictions on one election date often results in more than one type of ballot (i.e. city and county) being cast by each voter. This reduction in the number of separate elections provides significant savings of tax dollars and decreases voter fatigue. However, combining elections and the consequential increase in the number of ballots to process slows down the release of election returns. For example, during the November 1998 Travis County General Gubernatorial and City of Austin Bond Joint Election, the ballot counting system handled 309,265 voted ballots-176,449 for Travis County and 132,816 for the City of Austin -- well over the designed capacity. Sheer volume contributed greatly to the 2:56 AM completion time of final election returns.
Closely Contested Races
As mentioned in the problem statement, the current Travis County voting system was designed to substantially complete returns for the 10:00 PM news. In races with significant vote margins, the outcome of an election could often be determined before all the boxes had been counted. Many speculate that the shifting political climate in Texas and in Travis County will mean more closely contested candidate elections. As a result, the outcome of an election may not be evident until the last precinct is counted. Thus, not only the community, but also the candidates, are calling for a change in the system so that results can be completed more quickly.
Election Night Ballot Box Delivery
Late arrival of the voted ballots from the precincts also contributes significantly to late returns. Speeding up the arrival time of precinct election judges to the receiving substations is a problem that tends to defy solution. In most cases, election judges are delayed due to voter lines at the polls, long travel time, and/or problems in completing the numerous legally mandated election forms. Attempts to alleviate this problem through additional personnel and increased training has improved but not solved this situation.
- return to Problem Background, part I
- continue on to Mission Statement
