E-voting Technology Faces Critical Test

[helderheid]

E-voting Technology Faces Critical Test
Challenges to results likely if systems fail during election

October 23, 2006 (Computerworld) --

The widespread use of controversial electronic voting machines could lead to chaos after next month’s midterm elections if, as some critics suggest, losing candidates and their supporters move to challenge the results.

Working under a vaguely worded federal mandate, election officials nationwide have replaced lever-activated machines, punch-card systems and other outmoded voting methods with electronic equipment.

Much of the criticism to date has been aimed at touch-screen systems, or direct recording electronic devices, which critics say aren’t rigorously tested and certified and are unreliable and prone to crashing. Critics also contend that DREs are inherently vulnerable to hacking and viruses.

“The potential definitely is there for fraud,” said Bruce Funk, former elections director for Emery County, Utah.

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[helderheid]

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