Election went better than editorial portrayed

Election went betterthan editorial portrayed
EDITOR:
Friday's VIndicator editorial was wrong when it suggested that the new voting machines did not live up to expectations. For the first time in nearly 20 years, not a single voter who used the machines had their vote rejected because of an overvoted ballot. Not a single voter missed voting for the county sales tax or a school levy because they forgot to turn the ballot over. For the first time in 20 years, starting around 8 p.m. we were able to post election results at each polling place, giving citizens a chance to make an independent review of election results. For the first time we didn't have to worry that someone might tamper with election results by using a pencil or an eraser. For the first time voters had the opportunity to review their ballots and correct any mistakes before leaving the voting booth. For the first time the board did not have to meet to guess & quot;voter intent & quot; on poorly marked ballots. For the first time in 20 years, had it been necessary because of a court challenge, death or withdrawal of a candidate, we had a system which would have permitted ballot changes late in the election cycle.
For the first time and continuing as long as we own the machines, the county started saving the $200,000-plus a year we had been spending for ballot printing.
The editorial was also wrong when it wrote we missed a 10 p.m. deadline to release a final report. While rapid reporting is desirable, the board has never had a deadline for releasing election night reports. The reports are released when they're ready, not just to meet the wishes of the 11 p.m. news, or The Vindicator. Releasing results more quickly will undoubtedly occur as we gain more experience with the new system, but to suggest that the system is somehow a failure because Trumbull County beat us by an hour and 14 minutes is absurd. Election night reporting is not a race.
There was an election night delay in releasing a final report because so much was new. Everyone, including voters, pollworkers and election officials were taking their time as they worked through new systems and issues for the first time. A computer that locked up at an inopportune time, and some materials left in the trunk of a pollworker didn't help either. As for delays at the voting booth, many voters were taking time to read the three full screens of text describing Issue 1.
We expect that at the next election, pollworkers and voters will be veteran touch screen operators and lines will move more quickly. There is also the prospect that newly passed federal funding will help us pay for the machines we have plus allow us to acquire additional machines, speeding voting even more.
The board of elections bought the new system not because it's faster, but because it's a better way to vote. One of the side benefits will be faster reporting as the voters, pollworkers, and board employees gain experience, but the focus will always be on accuracy, reliability and accountability first.
We acknowledge there's room for improvement before the next election, but on balance, Mahoning County had a good election with the new system meeting its goals.
MARK E. MONROE
Youngstown
X The writer is chairman of the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
An evolving story
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to a letter claiming that teaching children evolution is teaching them a lie. First I will say that I really don't care how we got here, considering the problems we must overcome to continue to exist. Lets say that the Bible and creation are in fact true. Where are the dinosaurs and early man? We have scientific proof they exist. Are scientists lying? How come we have no physical evidence of Jesus actually existing. Anyone found a piece of Noah's ark? Found any remains of Adam or Eve? Nope. Is it possible that the Bible is the most popular piece of fiction ever? Maybe.
I have two children and I want them to learn both evolution and creation. Then they can choose what to believe. Believing in a greater good and a greater purpose is another reason to be a decent human being is just fine for some. But, calling those who don't agree a FOOL, that's plain wrong. We are all entitled to our own opinion. We have, in fact, more evidence that evolution is how we got here than we do creation. The only thing supporting creation is the Bible.
Through church and education children learn both. Not allowing our youth to be free to choose in which they believe, now that's really foolish.
BRIAN SHINA
Youngstown