In what may be a first nationally, Wisconsin is considering forgoing federal certification of a new vote-counting device and testing it itself in an effort to simplify and speed the tallying of votes in November, the state's top election official says.

The device, known as HAAT for Hybrid Accumulator Activator Transmitter, consolidates totals from the electronic touch-screen voting machines and the optical scanners that read paper ballots, spitting out a single tally - a step local election officials say could significantly speed voter returns on election night.

"We've told clerks to assume it won't be ready for fall," said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the Government Accountability Board, which oversees Wisconsin election and ethics issues.

But, he said, "we may ignore the federal requirement and test it ourselves before November."

Kennedy's remarks came after last week's election as local officials raised concerns that advances in technology and regulations meant to ensure the integrity of elections after the problems of 2000 are slowing tallies - at a time when the public has come to expect near instantaneous results.

"The irony here is that technology is creating more issues," said Kennedy, who previously headed the state Election Commission. "That's why results are harder to get on election night."

Doug Chapin, who directs the Pew Center for the States' electionline.org, a nonpartisan clearinghouse for election reform information, said that is a "constant undercurrent in elections across the country."

"Combine that with the fact that scrutiny of the voting process - and the vote counting process - is fiercer than it's ever been, and we're seeing people slow down," he said. "Both because they're learning this new equipment and they want to make absolutely sure they have it right."

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