Counties Criticized for Protesting Voting Rule

California’s elections chief criticized county officials Saturday for balking at a directive he said would protect new touch-screen voting machines from hackers and malfunction.

“I cannot understand why any public official would oppose these measures,” Secretary of State Kevin Shelley wrote elections officials.

Ten county registrars are challenging Shelley’s authority to require the security measures for next month’s presidential primary ballot. The requirements are too expensive, they said. Riverside County estimated its cost at more than $2.5 million. Others objecting to Shelley’s order include Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino counties.