Are touchscreen voting machines ready for the big test in November?
(August 18, 2004) My friend Molly was the first to use the new ATM at the bank next door to our office in 1979. “It’s so cool,” she said. “You almost feel like you don’t have to record it in your checkbook!” For 25 years I’ve appreciated the convenience of being able to get cash on Saturday mornings for the farmers market, and deposit checks without standing in a teller line. The ATM worked wonderfully until the bank installed new, touchscreen models. Last week the machine took my deposit envelope and then wrote on the screen: “Your request cannot be processed at this time.” No receipt, no money, no nothin’. Fortunately the bank was open. Unfortunately, it is against federal law for the teller to retrieve the envelope and return it to me, or deposit it in my account. Two days, two visits to the branch, and four hours on the phone to customer service later, I was granted “provisional credit.” The head teller’s advice? “Don’t use the ATM. This happens randomly, at least once a week.” O
