U.S. Elections Commission Chief Tours Wisconsin

Paul DeGregorio, chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, says any problems Wisconsin has today with the new voter registration system are minor compared to other states.

DeGregorio toured several Wisconsin polling places today with Elections Board executive director Kevin Kennedy to see how firsthand progress on the implementation of new requirements to comply with the Help American Voting Act.

DeGregorio said one polling place was scrambling this morning to find an extension cord to plug in a new piece of equipment. Otherwise, things seemed to be going smoothly.

Kennedy and the board have been criticized by some for the contract with Accenture to develop the new voter list and delays. Wisconsin is one of several states that failed to meet a deadline earlier this year to have the system in place.

DeGregorio pointed out other states are in much worse shape. New York just sent out its RFP to create the voter registration list. He also pointed out problems today in Maryland, where one of the state's largest counties forgot to send poll books to 215 polling places.

"By comparison, Wisconsin is a piece of cake," DeGregorio said.

-- By JR Ross