EXHIBIT 99.1
DIEBOLD logo DIEBOLD, INCORPORATED
5995 Mayfair Road
P.O. Box 3077
North Canton, OH 44720
Media contact: Investor contact:
Diebold, Incorporated John Kristoff
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Mike Jacobsen kristoj@diebold.com
+1 330 490 3796 -------------------
jacobsm1@diebold.com
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Diebold Election Systems
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David Bear
+1 317 997 9300
dbear@pstrategies.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 23, 2004
DIEBOLD DISAPPOINTED IN CALIFORNIA ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation is limited to voting system firmware and hardware in four
California counties
NORTH CANTON, Ohio - Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE:DBD) is disappointed
in the recommendation passed down by the California Voting Systems and
Procedures Panel, an advisory board to California Secretary of State Kevin
Shelley, to lift the conditional certification of the Diebold Election Systems,
Inc. (DES), TSX electronic voting system firmware and hardware used in the
California March 2 primary. This recommendation is limited to firmware and
hardware designed for and run in San Diego, Solano, Kern and San Joaquin
counties. Also, this recommendation has no effect on the certification status of
DES hardware, software and firmware elsewhere in California or in other states
or jurisdictions throughout the country.
"While we realized the need for enhancements and are committed to
making the necessary changes to the equipment used in the March election, we
strongly disagree with the extent and tone of the panel's recommendation. This
is especially disconcerting in light of the fact that the state's own
independent monitoring of the March 2 election reflected that all Diebold touch
screen systems that were tested, accurately recorded the votes as cast," said
Robert Urosevich, president of Diebold Election Systems, Inc. "Diebold Election
Systems ran successful elections in Solano, Kern and San Joaquin counties in
March and has mitigated the non-touch screen related card encoding issues that
impacted the March election in San Diego County."
(more)
PAGE 2 / DIEBOLD DISAPPOINTED IN CALIFORNIA ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDATION
DES intends to respond, in writing, to the panel's invitation to
correct any inaccuracies and false allegations in the staff report before
Secretary Shelley acts upon the recommendation. The California decision does not
impact the previously provided 2004 revenue guidance of $80 to $95 million for
election systems by Diebold, Incorporated.
DES anticipates submitting for California State certification the new
TSX election system that was submitted to the independent testing authorities
nine months ago and successfully completed all federal testing on April 21,
2004. The new TSX system has incorporated enhanced security measures. DES
anticipates receiving final federal qualification in the near future.
"DES is committed to supporting its 19 California customer counties,
including the four affected counties, in their efforts to conduct a safe, secure
and accurate election for voters in November," Urosevich said.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT
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In the company's written or oral statements, the use of the words
"believes," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions is intended to
identify forward-looking statements that have been made and may in the future be
made by or on behalf of the company, including statements concerning future
operating performance, the company's share of new and existing markets, and the
company's short- and long-term revenue and earnings growth rates. Although the
company believes that its outlook is based upon reasonable assumptions regarding
the economy, its knowledge of its business, and on key performance indicators,
which impact the company, there can be no assurance that the company's goals
will be realized. The company is not obligated to report changes to its outlook.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company's uncertainties
could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in
forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to:
- - competitive pressures, including pricing pressures and technological
developments;
- - changes in the company's relationships with customers, suppliers,
distributors and/or partners in its business ventures;
- - changes in political, economic or other factors such as currency
exchange rates, inflation rates, recessionary or expansive trends,
taxes and regulations and laws affecting the worldwide business in each
of the company's operations, including Brazil, where a significant
portion of the company's revenue is derived;
- - acceptance of the company's product and technology introductions in the
marketplace;
- - unanticipated litigation, claims or assessments;
- - ability to reduce costs and expenses and improve internal operating
efficiencies; and
- - variation in consumer demand for financial self-service technologies,
products and services.
PAGE 3 / DIEBOLD DISAPPOINTED IN CALIFORNIA ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDATION
Diebold Election Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned operating subsidiary
of Diebold, Incorporated, a global leader in providing integrated self-service
delivery systems and services. Headquartered in McKinney, Texas, Diebold
Election Systems provides high-quality voting technology to jurisdictions of all
sizes, along with comprehensive service and support capability, and is committed
to elections accuracy, security and integrity. For more information on Diebold
Election Systems, visit the company's Web site at www.dieboldes.com, or call
1-800-433-VOTE.
Diebold, Incorporated is a global leader in providing integrated
self-service delivery and security systems and services. Diebold employs more
than 13,000 associates with representation in more than 88 countries worldwide
and is headquartered in Canton, Ohio, USA. Diebold reported revenue of $2.1
billion in 2003 and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol `DBD.' For more information, visit the company's Web site at
www.diebold.com.
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