Microvote Under The State's Microscope

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(UNDATED) - More than a year after a bitter dispute between the state and its main voting-machine supplier, the case is finally headed toward a final resolution.

An administrative law judge has already fined Microvote more than 350-thousand dollars for tweaking the software used in last year's primary without getting the changes certified. Secretary of State Todd Rokita sought the fines after the changes came to light more than two months after the vote.

The Indiana Election Commission, which has separate enforcement power, is pursuing its own action. The IEC can't levy fines, but could suspend Microvote's license to do business in Indiana.

But the two sides between them have rejected 13 proposed administrative law judges, and Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler says others have declined to be considered because of the politically charged nature of the case, the time commitment required, or other reasons.

The commission finally gave up seeking consensus from Microvote and appointed Indianapolis attorney Paul Jefferson to hear the case. But the panel left the door open to replace Jefferson if the two sides can reach agreement on someone else within a week.

Microvote attorney John R. Price says he knows nothing about Jefferson, and will have to study whether to accept his appointment or try to negotiate a replacement.

Microvote supplies voting machines to 47 Indiana counties.

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