NYC Elections Board Rings In the Old, as Lever Machines Replace Scanners

[stuartsdesk1]

4. It's Not the ONLY Solution - But It's an OK Solution

There are other ways. And those DON'T include going all electronic.

If there is no physical backup (as there is not with totally electronic machines) then
there is no guarantee against electronic fraud. A truly reliable recount is impossible.

In my hometown we use large white cards with open ovals next to the candidate's
names. The cards are presented to the voter by the election monitors after they check the voter's name and registration status.

The voter enters a small booth and blacks in the ovals using a felt tip or ball pen. Then the cards are
carried to a 2nd set of election monitors who recheck the voter.s registration status.

The cards are then inserted into an optical scanner which records and tallies the vote AND saves the cards.
Either side up, top or bottom first, the scanner works in all directions.

It's fast, very safe and actually easier for voters to understand than the lever machine. Certainly more
intuitive and easier to use than an electronic terminal.

And there is a physical record in case a truly reliable recount is needed.