Governor signs voting record law

Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed into law a measure to require a paper record for voters' ballots in Tennessee.

It's not clear yet what financial effect the measure will have on Bedford County, said Bedford County Supervisor of Elections Summer Leverette.

The law requires any voting machine bought or leased after Jan. 1 to be able to create a paper trail that could be used in recounts and random audits. By the year 2010, all counties will have to have voting machines in place that create a paper trail.

Leverette said how much it would cost to buy a complete set of new voting machines for Bedford County depends on the bid price obtained by the state. She said the state would use its bargaining power to negotiate a low price under which local governments could purchase machines.

It's also not clear whether any federal funds will be available to help offset the cost, said Leverette.

A report released earlier this year by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations showed only two of Tennessee's 95 counties keep a paper trail of voters' ballots. The report recommended all counties adopt the practice.

The "Tennessee Voter Confidence Act" was sponsored by Sen. Joe Haynes of Goodlettsville and Rep. Gary Moore of Joelton. Both are Democrats.

On the web

Read the full text of SB1363 on the General Assembly's Web site at: http://legislature.state.tn.us