The status of the new voting machines was already in doubt.
 
The state is appealing a ruling by an administrative hearings officer last August that canceled the contract for new voting machines after the 2008 elections because the Office of Elections acted in bad faith in awarding it to Hart InterCivic.
 
Maui Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cardoza yesterday sided with five Maui residents who sued the state last July, arguing that the Office of Elections used voting systems guidelines without complying with the state's administrative rules. The residents also alleged the state transmits election results over telephone lines and the Internet without adopting administrative rules.
 
Cardoza said he will issue a written decision soon.
 
Kevin Cronin, the state's chief elections officer, declined to comment until he reviews Cardoza's written ruling. He said the state is discussing voting-machine options for 2010.