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HomeLatest News Public Input Sought on Recent Voting Troubles
Public Input Sought on Recent Voting Troubles
The Bakersfield Californian
Jul 18, 2006
By Vic Pollard
Did you have trouble voting in the June 6 primary election when parts of Kern County's electronic voting system wasn't working right?
If so, state legislators want to hear from you.
A new Senate committee appointed to look into voting problems around the state will hold its first hearing in Bakersfield later this month.
It is scheduled for 1 p.m. July 31 in the Kern County Board of Supervisors chambers, 1115 Truxtun Ave.
The three-member committee will look into problems like those in Kern, where many machines did not work properly at first and in San Joaquin County, where many poll workers did not show up, said its chairwoman, state Sen. Debra Bowen, D-Redondo Beach.
In both counties, some voters were turned away and told to come back later.
"I'm interested in solving these problems so we can begin to restore people's confidence and trust in the electoral process," said Bowen, who is running against the state's chief election official, Republican Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, in the Nov. 7 general election.
State Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, is also a member of the Senate Select Committee on the Integrity of Elections.
People who want to testify at the hearing, or just provide information to lawmakers, can e-mail the committee at
They can also send a letter to the committee in care of Sen. Debra Bowen, State Capitol, Room 4040, Sacramento, CA, 95814.
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