Order Follows Straight-Party Ballot Failures Reported to be Affecting 'Tightly Contested State Senate Race'...
By Brad Friedman on 11/4/2008, 10:35am PT  

"More than 100 voting machines in Kenton County have been shut down on a judge's order" after they failed to properly register straight-party votes in Kentucky.

The failed machines are Hart InterCivic eSlate DREs (Direct Recording Electronic devices, usually touch-screen, though Hart's machines use a wheel and a button instead of a touch-screen). These are the same machines which Hart spokesman Peter Lichtenheld had previously argued could not lose or flip votes after they were similarly reported to have not been recording straight-ticket ballots correctly in Houston last week. Details from WLWT, a local KY NBC affiliate, follow...

Kenton Co. Orders 108 Voting Machines Shut Down

More than 100 voting machines in Kenton County have been shut down on a judge's order.

Secretary of State spokesman Les Fugate said at least two machines in Kenton County weren't properly registering straight-ticket votes.

The malfunctions could impact the tightly contested state Senate race between incumbent Republican Jack Westwood of Crescent City and Democrat Kathy Groop, an activist with a public relations background.

Fugate said Kenton County Clerk of Court Rodney Eldredge opted to go before a judge to decide how to handle the problem.

Shortly before 11 a.m., the judge ordered that 108 eSlate machines be turned off.

UPDATE: Cincinnati.com has a bit more...

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Article Categories: Election Irregularities, Hart InterCivic, Election 2008, Touch-Screen DREs/BMDs, Kentucky