Posted on: Sunday, November 7, 2004

EDITORIAL
'E-voting' still needs to have a paper trail

It would be easy to dismiss critics of the new electronic voting machines that are now part of our election process as Luddites who simply fear new technology.

But that misses the point.

Officials from both major political parties say they are concerned because the machines can be subject to mechanical error and because they offered no verifiable, auditable "paper trail."

As people become comfortable with the computerized voting machines, they will grow to trust their accuracy. And with several other states raising similar concerns, the machine manufacturers are working on a system that would provide the proper verification, or a paper trail.

Until then, it is imperative that elections officials find a way to provide a paper backup to the electronic voting process.

That would provide voters with a piece of paper that confirms their choices. An additional copy should also be left behind with election officials, just in case there is the need for a recount.

By offering a reliable paper verification system, elections administrators would enhance voter confidence in the machines and in the elections system altogether.

And, after all, isn't that the ultimate goal?