Can we go to paper ballots in the next election? I hope the question isn't too ridiculous, but...nt

[monmouth4]

[still_one]

1. Not ridiculous, but I am pretty sure that needs to be done on a state by state basis

[mucifer]

2. If it's pro democracy repubs will block it in the senate. So no.

[Codeine]

4. Not the Senate's decision.

That would be decided by the states.

[monmouth4]

3. Thank you both. n/t

[Turbineguy]

5. My county did it

after GW Bush won and the paper ballots were 1/3 for Bush and the electronic ballots were 2/3ds for Bush. This in a heavily Democratic county. Some activist Lawyers filled a lawsuit and the County said never mind, we'll go to paper. It's been that way ever since.

One guy I know watched as the voting machine flipped his vote from Gore to Bush.

[dawg day]

6. My state uses paper ballots which are then scanned

So there's always the paper to go back to.

But let's not forget that the 2000 election rested on "hanging chads" (paper ballots). They solve some problems, but create others.

[pnwmom]

7. Hanging chads were punch card ballots. Ballots using optical scanners

don't have that problem. There are no chads to fall off, leaving a voters intent unclear.

[stillcool]

8. my state uses paper...

but we don't have mandatory automatic partial recounts.

[uponit7771]

9. K&R,

[Hermit-The-Prog]

10. it takes a while

My county uses paper ballots and an electronic scanner. It's not perfect, but at least there is a verifiable, physical ballot to fall back on.

Electronic voting cannot be verified. Electrons move around too much for people to watch them.