UCC - Electronic voting short circuits in debut, will reboot Monday

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Electronic voting short circuits in debut, will reboot Monday

> Written by Tim Kershner
> July 1, 2011
When the General Synod electronic voting system was tested for the 
first time during the opening plenary, some delegates literally had 
to "Imagine What's Possible."
On two test votes this afternoon, intended to introduce delegates to 
the ease of electronic voting, many claimed that their devices were 
not working and their votes were not being recorded. As the large 
screen in the plenary hall displayed the number of votes received in 
response to the adoption of the agenda and the questions "Were you a 
delegate in Grand Rapids?" voices were raised not for "yes" or "no" 
but "It's not working."
In response to concerns from the floor, Moderator James K. Robertson 
asked for additional test votes. After conducting additional business 
to give the technology team time to research the issue, two new test 
votes showed better results, but still not to the liking of Synod 
leaders. Since Friday evening's votes were planned to be by voice, 
Monday's plenary is the next time the electronic voting tablets will be used.
Michael Marcel, an employee of General Synod 28's stage company Color 
Tone Staging and Rental has experience using these keypads made by 
Turning Technologies. In anticipation of Monday's Plenary, Marcel 
says he and his team will review the equipment and make any necessary 
adjustments. He also believes that revised instructions will be given 
to delegates related to when to begin voting and how to know when a 
vote is recorded.
The white electronic keypads will be used for most actions during 
Synod requiring a vote, replacing voice votes, voting cards and other 
methods of counting yeas, nays and abstentions. The voting pads will 
also be used for elections. Prior to each vote, delegates will be 
instructed on how to enter their desired vote.
Associate General Minister Edith Guffey admits that some delegates 
will miss the "visible expression" of voting by raising a colored 
card, standing to indicate support for an issue or simply the sound 
of a voice vote. Even the familiar volunteer tellers are now a memory 
of Synods past. However, Guffey adds that the Synod process gains 
efficiencies in time and accuracy. Previous actions which had 
required a "division of the house," when all cards were manually 
counted, are no longer necessary.
The 667 Conference delegates each received a voting pad from their 
Conference minister. While each device is accounted for, to ensure 
voting accuracy, Robertson assured delegates the devices were issued 
at random, so each delegate's vote remains private. "This being the 
UCC, we have no interest in how individuals vote."
Delegates will have 15 seconds to record his or her vote and can 
change his or her vote within that time. At the end of the 15 seconds 
the total results are displayed on the large screens in the plenary 
hall. For elections, additional time will be given along with 
detailed instructions on how to vote for multiple candidates and how 
to change a vote already entered.
The idea of using electronic voting began more than 20 years ago but 
early systems were cost prohibitive. As costs came down over the past 
two decades, incorporating this technology into the work of synod 
became more realistic.