State polling places plug into new computerized system
Source: By Karen Lincoln Michel, The Northwestern (WI), August 23, 2006
Twenty-one days remain until every polling place across Wisconsin will operate for the first time from a single, computerized database of registered voters. After Wisconsin missed a Jan. 1 deadline for getting its voter lists to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act, known as HAVA, now even the smallest towns below a population of 5,000 - which previously were exempt from maintaining a registered voter list - are plugging into the new statewide system. ….. Kyle Richmond, spokesman for the state Elections Board, said that so far Wisconsin has spent $16.9 million of the $50.7 million in federal funds for HAVA compliance. He said about $15.8 million has gone toward contracts with Deloitte Consulting and Accenture, as well as for state employees involved in development of the statewide voter registration system, equipment and rental space. Just under $1 million, he said, has gone toward state employees involved with HAVA compliance other than voter registration.