John Myers points out a lawsuit against Bruce McPhereson in his capacity as Secretary of State.  The case deals primarily with disabled voters and a provision of HAVA (Help America Vote Act of 2002) which calls for at least one accessible voting machine at each precinct.  The suit alleges that several counties’ voting machines were not accessible without assistance, infringing the voters’ interest in a secret ballot.

At the very least, the lawsuit will force a re-examination of how California is complying with the federal HAVA requirements. It also will force an examination of how the Secretary of State certifies some of these voting machines. Plaintiff’s attorney John McDermott says it was McPherson’s job, as a condition of certifying machines, “to insure accessibility for all people, to the maximum extent feasible. And that didn’t occur.” Capitol Notes

Do I think McPherson is actually trying to make it harder for disabled voters to vote? Honestly, no.  But the process itself is messed up.  We need a whole new system of certification for our voting machines, and a whole new viewpoint on how to do that.  Debra Bowen understands these issues better than any other major political figure in the state.

One of the things that mystifies me about the CTA’s endorsement of McPherson is the sentiment that I have heard expressed that CTA just wanted to endorse a Republican, and this was the only position where they felt they wouldn’t get hurt too badly.  But, as we can see from this story, there can be GOP malfeasance and incompetence in every position.  And, does the CTA have such a short memory that they forgot the names Ken Blackwell and Katherine Harris, two secretaries of state who, in Ohio in 2004 and Florida in 2000, respectively, helped plot Bush’s victory.  Now, it’s doubtful that California will be in play in 2008, but do we really want to risk having a GOP Secretary of State if that is the case?  The role is vitally important, whether or not the CTA understands that.

Phil Angelides is genuinely a nice guy, well, at least that’s what I’ve gotten from him in my rather limited interactions with the current state Treasurer.  But, he’s a politician, so you stick a lectern in front of him, and he’ll lecture you.

But he’s more than a one trick pony: he plays a mean air hockey.

After a speech at a Central Valley youth center last week, Phil Angelides headed to the air hockey table for an intense, shout-his-heart-out match against a 12-year-old Merced boy.

Minutes later, the Democratic nominee for governor raised his arms in triumph. “Arnold Schwarzenegger, take notice,” Angelides told about two dozen children. “I was down 2-to-nothing, and I won 3-2.”

People who know him best say this was more like the real Phil Angelides, who during town-hall-style gatherings in the valley emerged as a problem-solving, humorous, compassionate and easygoing politician… (S.J. Mercury News 7/31/06)

Now, the media likes its sport stars, its celebrities, its charismatic young leaders.  It’s why the media loves Newsom and Villaraigosa.  But Phil, he doesn’t really fit their categories, so they label him boring.  I suppose you could call him a bit wonkish, but, um, we are electing a leader for our state, not the Homecoming King, right?  If the election was about who looks cooler with a bazooka under his arms, Arnold should win hands down.  But, since when is it a bad thing for our governor to be smart?  To truly understand the issues like Phil?

And besides, Phil can play a mean game of air hockey.  What more do you need to know?