By Cindy Hadish, Gazette staff writer
Cedar Rapids Gazette, September 28, 1999

IOWA CITY - Voters in Johnson County might be encouraged to cast their ballots twice this election, if cities elect to participate in a mock poll via the Internet.

Johnson County Auditor Tom Slockett recently sent letters to officials of 11 cities in the county, notifying them of a pilot project proposed by Secretary of State Chet Culver to test the feasibility of voting via the Internet.

Under the proposal, voters would cast their ballots as they normally do, then cast a second mock vote on the Internet. The mock votes, obviously, would not count as an official vote.

Each participating voter station would require a computer and on-site Internet access.

The project - to take place during the Nov. 2 election - would be operated with Vote Here Now, an Internet firm that is developing technology for voting via the Internet.

Slockett noted that the process would be voluntary.

The Secretary of State's Office would have a staff observer and assistant in one or more precincts, who would ask voters if they would like to cast a mock vote.

"We are very Interested, and would like to ask if your city would be willing to be considered for inclusion in such a pilot," Slockett's letter to the city officials said.

Slockett noted that not all cities that are interested would be included in the project and it was unknown if the project would actually begin with the November election.

Linn County Auditor Linda Langenberg said her office was also contacted about participating in the project.- Langenberg said Linn County will not participate at this time due to two new software systems that her office is implementing this fall.

Contact writer Cindy Hadish at (319) 398-8428 or cindyh@fyiowa.com