Old House voting system had to go

Kansans are right to be concerned about the costly, endless job of renovating the Statehouse. And, true, $1.57 million sounds like a lot for a new computerized voting system in the Kansas House chamber — prompting the Kansas Taxpayers Network’s Karl Peterjohn to criticize as “excessive” the expenditure of “more than $12,000 to help each legislator throw a switch.” But even if the price seems high, the old system sounds like an embarrassment that clearly had to go: Installed in 1979 by a now-defunct company, it used vacuum tubes, broke down five times during last year’s legislative session and could only be repaired by one guy in South Dakota.

9 Comments

  1. Maggotpunk
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 6:05 am | Permalink

    “It’s a series of tubes!” -Senator Ted Stevens.

  2. JWink
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 6:07 am | Permalink

    “Could only be repaired by one guy from South Dakota” … using a step ladder and a roll of duct tape.

  3. Raptor
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 7:25 am | Permalink

    And, it is very difficult to read.

  4. Political_mama
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 8:53 am | Permalink

    Replace the system with something that will last another 100 years. Its a good investment. Karl needs to shut up.

  5. Regular
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 10:31 am | Permalink

    They should use their Dillon’s card to vote. Easy, free and they get the occasional coupon after accumulated votes.

  6. Predestined
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 11:00 am | Permalink

    JWink,

    You forgot the baling wire, a Kansas staple. ;)

  7. TomPaine
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 11:02 am | Permalink

    Seems like raising thier hands or saying Yea or Nay would be a lot easier and cheaper.

  8. situveux1
    Posted September 8, 2008 at 9:43 pm | Permalink

    Good, replace it then, but for goodness sake, does it have to cost $12,000 per legislator? They couldn’t find anything less expensive? Right.

  9. Forex Brokers Rated
    Posted September 11, 2008 at 3:17 pm | Permalink

    completely liked this text!