Voting Systems

Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines

First used circa 1978

By 2000, 9% use in United States

Since 2000, explosive growth in use

 

Advantages

    Instant computerized tabulation at precinct

    Maintains electronic record of each ballot

    Good accessibility for handicapped voters

    Perceived to be "state of the art" technology

 

Disadvantages

    Millions of transistors
        Complete testing of the mechanism is impossible

    Thousands of lines of computer software
        Software correctness cannot be assured

    Most keep only an electronic record of each ballot
        No meaningful audit trail
        Voter cannot possibly verify electronic records
        Voter verified paper records are possible

    Reliance on technicians and programmers
        A corrupt programmer can control a state