November 1, 2002 broadcast
ETTHIS is a hurried transcript.
This copy may not be in final form and may be updated.
CNN anchor Darling Kagan: voters across the country will be heading to polling stations in a few days.
However, they may not be able to find the ballot paper.
On the contrary, there are some new ones-it's talking.
It's your turn.
There are some high-tech machines.
Our technician, Daniel Seberg, showed us how they used it.
They decided to speak out loud.
Daniel Seberg, CNN Technology Reporter: Yes.
They are ready to go.
In fact, you know, perhaps the most obvious evidence of some of the troubles that we will see happening in 2000, and now everyone is familiar with hanging chads. . .
KAGAN: Right.
SIEBERG: . . .
These high-tech voting machines.
More and more counties are using them.
So we can start with this.
This is called--
Kagan: I can point out that you get different types of machines when you bring all of them in, which is interesting.
Seberg: Yes.
Kagan: So we have a national tour now.
Seberg: Yes.
We will make a quick trip to the country.
We will point out a state with the same technology in a minute.
KAGAN: OK.
So we started here.
This is called iVotronic.
It was produced by the electoral system and software.
Now, people may remember Miami, Dade and Broward counties from the recount that happened in Florida.
In fact, they have decided to invest in the technology.
It offers something that other machines offer, and when you start, it's an opportunity to choose your language and get into the polling station.
Actually, one of the things you have to do before you start is that the voting staff has to give you this particular cartridge.
You will put it in, which actually starts the movement of the machine.
Kagan: let it go.
Looks like I'm copying at Kinkos.
This is the case.
I remember this from the age of students.
Of course, once you do, the votes will appear on the screen.
You can choose--
This is a touch screen and it can also block you from voting by changing it depending on what you touch.
You can do the same if you want to write something.
Kagan: you can't do all this?
SIEBERG: Yes, you can't do this.
Kagan: But you can write it in. OK.
Who will use this?
SIEBERG: what we're going to talk about now is actually eSlate of Harris international citizenship.
Houston Metro station and Charlottsville, Virginia will see the machine.
You know, in a sense, it looks like a handheld pilot taking steroids.
It's a bit different from iVotronic because it's not a touch screen, it's using this dial in the corner.
Kagan: Now, you're going to try and give me a quick lesson on how to use this.
Yes, I will.
You get a four when you sign up-digit code.
We need to put it in.
Once you enter this code, then you actually--
It brought up the votes.
I will let you move in and start choosing that you have this code.
KAGAN: OK.
Now, there's one thing that's a bit confusing, in which you actually touch the Florida screen.
But this one, you don't touch the screen, or you can, but you have to use these little dials here?
That's right.
You can't actually touch the screen.
The company says this part has been completed because they prefer this method rather than the calibration method needed for the touch screen.
Make sure your fingers are in contact with the exact location.
They think this is a better technology.
You know, these two ways are being used all over the country.
Then, once you have selected, you press enter. . .
Kagan: If I want to vote for Harriet Tabman for Congress or Senator-
You can press enter.
KAGAN: Enter.
SIEBERG: . . .
Then you go ahead and scroll down to see how it is--
You can't choose.
Governor, vote for Mark Twain.
Mark Twain.
Kagan: Well, you know, it's not that confusing when you actually get in.
I think it's a bit scary to see this group. . .
This may be the case.
Kagan: But once you touch it.
Now, this is what I need to learn because this is what Georgians are going to use on Tuesday.
That's right.
This is Diebold.
Diebold is a manufacturer of large ATM machines.
This is ---
Georgia is the only state in the country with this unified touch screen technology, and the first and only state with this technology.
It's a bit different because they give you this voter access card.
So, if you enter the polling station, they will give you this card once you register.
Slip in, very similar to the ATM machine.
You left it in there?
SIEBERG: put it in all the time;
Clerk, you should listen.
Kagan: I think I did it.
SIEBERG: OK. There we go.
Then, once it registers the card, it displays the voting information.
Here are some instructions.
And then you started. . .
Kagan: Let's get started.
SIEBERG: then, you have a ballot card if you want to make a choice. . .
Kagan: who knows Gladys Knight is running here?
You know, obviously, this is some fictional candidate.
There's a baseball theme on the right.
Once you have selected all the candidates-
Of course, you can skip these as well and you don't have to choose all of them ---
Then you click on the next one and then once you get to the next there are some issues here and you can choose yes or no. .
Kagan: we will vote yes, no, yes without looking at the votes.
How about voting?
SIEBERG: Conduct an informed vote in the operation.
Once you do this, you will have the opportunity to review it.
You can see what you have chosen.
You can even go back and change it.
Then, when you decide to actually throw your vote in the ballot box, you click to vote.
Kagan: then it pops up the card.
SIEBERG: it will pop up and you will return that card to the voting officer.
So, you will be a professional when you enter the polling station.
Kagan: I'm excited.
Now this one here is very similar to that one.
This is made by Sequoia, which uses smart card technology in exactly the same way as Diebold's.
You slide it in front of the machine.
This is just the card activator.
You slide it into the front of the machine like this and it puts it in.
Again, you will choose your language, select all of your candidates, and finally review it.
So it's used the same way.
This is actually--
We reported this in 2000 and it was used in Riverside County, California.
So it's been around for a while.
Kagan: That's right. I remember. How did it do?
You know, to be honest, I don't know how well it did, but I heard it did a good job.
KAGAN: OK.
So, we have to look.
You know, many of them will be tested in this election.
Kagan: one more.
Seberg: Okay.
Come on, this is the last one.
This one looks like a traditional polling station, very different.
Kagan: is this New York?
SIEBERG: this is New York, because in some states, in some places you are required to see the entire ballot paper, instead of scrolling or browsing the screen through the screen.
In this vote, there is a sensor on the back, it actually records what you are exposed to in this vote, it is a huge vote and when you enter the polling station you have to legally
Then, when you're done, you vote like that and it tells you that you're done.
So the cost of these machines is about $3,000.
They even have-
Some of them even put on headphones and Braille for the blind.
KAGAN: Good.
Very interesting.
SIEBERG: Yes.
Kagan: to fully disclose, as you know about technology, tell the audience why you don't vote on Tuesday.
Seberg: Yes.
I am a citizen of Canada.
Oh, my God.
SIEBERG: So this is my closest year to voting this year.
Kagan: We have a Canadian who teaches us how Americans vote.
Yes, well.
KAGAN: OK.
We appreciate your technical advice.
Yes, thank you.