RICHARD WOLF, USA TODAY - State and local officials have begun a
coordinated campaign to stop Congress from requiring a paper record of
ballots cast on electronic voting machines, arguing it could cause more
problems in next year's presidential election than it would solve.
Groups representing secretaries of state, state legislators and county
leaders are working together to block legislation headed for a House
committee vote and Senate hearings soon. Their letters, phone calls and
meetings with lawmakers in recent weeks are likely to prompt changes,
supporters and opponents say.
At issue is whether all machines used in 2008 should have a paper record
that would give voters proof of their vote and could be used as the
official ballot in a recount. The measure is the top priority of
election reform advocates, who cite problems at the polls ever since the
2000 presidential election required a 36-day recount in Florida. Until
recently, the legislation was expected to sail through the
Democratic-controlled House. But committee action has been delayed, and
state and county election officials are warning that the bill's
requirements can't be met in time for presidential primaries in
February. . .
Advocates of a paper trail, post-election audits and other proposed
safeguards in the bill say problems with electronic voting machines
can't wait. "What do you mean, too soon? It's eight years too late,"
says Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., the bill's sponsor. "We can't go through
another federal election with people not believing the results."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-04-23-paper-trail-voting_N.htm
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coordinated campaign to stop Congress from requiring a paper record of
ballots cast on electronic voting machines, arguing it could cause more
problems in next year's presidential election than it would solve.
Groups representing secretaries of state, state legislators and county
leaders are working together to block legislation headed for a House
committee vote and Senate hearings soon. Their letters, phone calls and
meetings with lawmakers in recent weeks are likely to prompt changes,
supporters and opponents say.
At issue is whether all machines used in 2008 should have a paper record
that would give voters proof of their vote and could be used as the
official ballot in a recount. The measure is the top priority of
election reform advocates, who cite problems at the polls ever since the
2000 presidential election required a 36-day recount in Florida. Until
recently, the legislation was expected to sail through the
Democratic-controlled House. But committee action has been delayed, and
state and county election officials are warning that the bill's
requirements can't be met in time for presidential primaries in
February. . .
Advocates of a paper trail, post-election audits and other proposed
safeguards in the bill say problems with electronic voting machines
can't wait. "What do you mean, too soon? It's eight years too late,"
says Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., the bill's sponsor. "We can't go through
another federal election with people not believing the results."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-04-23-paper-trail-voting_N.htm
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