BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The Democratic candidate for North Dakota secretary of state says the state's election software contract takes ballot-printing business away from North Dakota companies.
State Rep. Corey Mock of Grand Forks says the contract with Election Systems & Software Inc. can increase costs for counties that get their ballots printed locally rather than through ES&S partner ballot printer Synergy Graphics of Minnesota.
Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Al Jaeger says North Dakota has contracted since 2003 with ES&S, which specializes in election services. He says there were no problems in previous elections and he doesn't anticipate any this year. He calls it a nonissue.
