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Whatever
Happened...
Question: What ever happened to the new elections system that the state was negotiating to purchase? Negotiations on
election system
‘difficult’ for stateAnswer: State elections officials have been locked in "difficult negotiations" with Election System & Software, said state procurement administrator Lloyd Unebasami. The state had planned to award a contract by March 3, but because ESS was the only bidder, the state has had a tough time negotiating a contract.
"The fact that we have only one company is a problem," Unebasami said. "The vendor knows that. It's been very frustrating for our side."
Todd Mullen, project manager for the Nebraska-based company, had told the Star-Bulletin that his company is the only one in the running. Two other mainland firms had shown an interest but did not put in bids.
"I think it's going to cost the state a few dollars," Unebasami said, noting that news reports of ESS being the only bidder did not help the state. State officials hope to reach "a good contract" soon in order to prepare for the September primary election, he said.
ESS had won the state contract to provide a voting system in the 1998 election. The voting machines malfunctioned and led to an unprecedented recount of more than 412,000 ballots, but the recount verified the outcome of all state and local elections.
The recount cost ESS $280,000. In addition, the company also paid the state $250,000 to settle contract disputes.
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