Paper Back Ups Sought for Voting machines (AP)

[GCP]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=548&e=1&u=/ap/20040401/ap_on_el_ge/voting_paper_trail

An effort to erase doubts about new ATM-style voting machines by backing up digital votes with paper records is gaining ground nationwide, as state officials heed warnings about security and potentially messy recounts.

Four states are demanding printers that will generate paper receipts voters can see and verify, and more than a dozen other states are weighing the change. But only one — Nevada — expects to have a paper trail in place by the fall elections.

"People are just realizing exactly what we've bought into in some states," said Maryland state Sen. Andrew Harris, a Republican. "The stakes are so high. I don't put it above someone trying to manipulate elections on a grand scale."

Harris wants to fix what many in the computer science world and elsewhere see as a dangerous flaw in the touchscreen machines that will be used in up to 34 states this November.

Snip

Bev, this has got legs. WOOOHOOO

[cybildisobedience]

1. why do these things only get traction when Repukes thinks Dems will cheat?

If that's what it takes, fine -- eye on the big picture and all -- but we can scream till we're blue in the face. But find ONE Repuke who is willing to express concerns, and all of a sudden, it's a major issue.

That being said -- great job, Bev -- you continue to amaze us!

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Woohooo is right!

[Dr.Phool]

3. In Florida yesterday

Republicans introduced legislation NOT to allow a paper trail in counties with touch screens. Do you think Jeb Bush has some more shenanigans planned this year. You bet.

Our answer: We are strongly urging EVERY Democrat to vote by absentee ballot this year. We want a paper trail.

[MidwestTransplant]

4. Do you have a source you can link to for this?

[seafan]

8. See this DU link for several sources.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x456798

[0007]

5. I hope Texas goes for it!

[sam sarrha]

6. glad to hear that..Dibold was charging 6 or 8 times the cost of the

print out devices.. they actually talked the state of Maine out of the print out upgrade.......!! which would made the $58,000,000 bill even sweeter, i have never heard of a salesman DOWN grading a sale.. especially a sale worth extra MILLIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!! whats with that !

[TahitiNut]

7. What bullshit!

I has absolutely nothing to do with 'paper receipts'! (Sheesh!) It has to do with paper ballots as a verification/validation mechanism. Unless such a hard copy ballot is either the original ballot document (with scanner processing) or is produced by the touchscreen ballot station for voter verification and submission, not only can't the vote be properly recounted, it can't even be determined there was a corruption of the electronic balloting and tabulation process in the first place! (The total idiocy of the public discourse on this is appalling.)

[teryang]

9. Right on

Messy recounts? Try no recounts. No means to recount equals no legitimacy.