Mechanism Recovered
Police Say Florida Democrat Had a ‘Votamatic’ in His Car
By Chris Vlasto and David Ruppe
Nov. 15 — Several days after presidential votes were tallied in what has
become the hotbed of Florida’s post-election confusion, police in Palm Beach
County confiscated a ballot-box mechanism from the car of a well-known local
Democrat.
The mechanism, called a “Votamatic,” did not contain any ballots. It’s
a device used on some types of ballot boxes to punch votes through ballot
cards, which are then tallied by computers.
According to a police report filed at the Palm Beach County sheriff’s
office and obtained by ABCNEWS, Irving Slosberg, 53, pulled the mechanism
from his car and handed it over to police on Nov. 11 after denying to a
county government employee that he had it.
When told of the incident, Palm Beach County’s supervisor of elections,
Theresa Lefore, declined to press charges, according to the report.
“She noted that this incident did occur during the hand count of the
presidential election and Lefore stated she did not wish to pursue further
this matter at this time due to extenuating circumstances,” it said.
No further action was taken.
County Official Contacts
