New-Computer Contract Sets Off County Squabble -- County Executive Calls Criticism From Gop Chairman A Case Of Sour Grapes

A contract King County is close to awarding for a new elections computer system is being criticized as a "risky venture" by county GOP Chairman Reed Davis.

But Davis, who also serves on a county advisory board on technology matters, also is being criticized. King County Executive Ron Sims suggests Davis' concerns may have something to do with the lawyer representing one of the losing bidders, former Republican Gov. John Spellman.

Sandwiched in the middle of this political squabble is a $5 million project that, when finished, would affect all aspects of running county elections - from registering voters to tabulating the results.

Negotiations, which are in the final stages, would award the contract to Phoenix-based Global Election Systems, said Larry Alcantara, director of King County's Records and Elections Division.

Of concern, Davis said, is Global's main subcontractor on the project, Chicago-based Prism Systems. Davis said Prism has left a trail of dissatisfied customers. One customer, Essex County, N.J., is considering legal action because of start-up delays.

In a recent letter to the Metropolitan King County Council, Davis wrote, "This is an enormously risky venture. Prism is simply too young and untried to gamble $5 million and the future of our elections on."

During a recent interview, he added, "I can't find anything but concern with Prism from New Jersey to Chicago."

Sims said he's comfortable with the proposed deal because of safeguards written into the contract.

"I'm not making allegations that a Republican Party chairman may be helping out a former Republican governor," said Sims, a Democrat. "But I don't know why Reed Davis is interested in making us turn down a great product and force us to rebid."

Spellman represents the Business Record Corporation (BRC), which was dropped from consideration early in the bidding because it, unlike two other bidders, had not yet developed the program King County wants, Alcantara said.

Davis denied he's doing the former governor a favor.

"Spellman is representing BRC? That's news to me," Davis said. "I've never met Gov. Spellman."

"I think Sims is really reaching on this one," Davis said, adding he's only concerned the county is making a mistake.

Spellman did not return messages left at his law office.

A number of customers, including the city of Phoenix, say they're happy with Prism's Voter View registration system.

But others, like Carmen Casciano, superintendent of elections for Essex County, N.J., say they've had problems. Casciano said Prism's state-of-the-art "Voter View" voter-registration system "blew my socks off" during a demonstration. wEven though the system was supposed to be running last October, Casciano said, "it's only walking."

Representatives for Global and Prism declined comment while contract talks are under way.

What separated Prism from other bidders, Alcantara said, was its ability to integrate voter registration and vote tabulation in one computer system. He said that's more efficient and carries less chance for error than having separate systems.

He said Prism has been overwhelmed by the demand for Voter View, but the company's performance and financial picture appear to be improving.

Even if Prism falters, Alcantara said, the county is taking steps in the contract to protect itself. If the company goes bankrupt, Alcantara said, the county would gain rights to Prism's software, enabling it to finish the system. Sims said the county also would have the right to withhold 45 percent of its payments if the system is not up and running by June.

"We're not going to take any chances with something as important as elections," Sims said.

Despite the assurances, County Councilman Kent Pullen, R-Kent, is still worried.

"Whatever Reed Davis' motivations might be, it's like building a house," said the chairman of the council's Management, Labor & Customer Relations Committee. "A structure is only as strong as its weakest link. If it collapses, then maybe the whole thing will come down."

It's unclear what the Republican majority on the council could do. Pullen said he was surprised to learn that the language of the contract does not need council approval. The council already has approved the money for the project. He said he might introduce a motion requiring all future contracts be ratified by the council.

Kery Murakami's phone message number is 206-464-2775. His e-mail address is: kmur-new@seatimes.com