WHAT: Just like California a few years back, New York state had a first-year disaster with its federally mandated electronic voting machines. Mayor Michael Bloomberg blasted New York City’s $160 million machines as “a royal screw-up” and “completely unacceptable.”
WHAT WENT WRONG: Statewide problems in replacing the dependable old lever machines included broken machines, missing machines, missing emergency ballots and workers totally unprepared to assist voters or resolve technical glitches. Some polling places opened as much as four hours late.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Based on California’s experience, New York can expect several years of embarrassing elections. Eventually, the process will be brought under control — but not until lots of state investigations and many more millions are spent.
