EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Brooks E. Garrett-Jones
Organization : | North Carolina State Board of Elections
Post Date : | 9/28/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 6.0.2.4.6
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Comment : | April 21, 2005 Dr. Williams, Regarding 6.0.2.4.6 and 6.0.2.4.6.1: In yesterday's committee meeting you proposed that these be removed, because they can't be done. As you pointed out, once the ballot is cast, it is cast; anonymity requirements in the system make the ballot irretrievable. Respectfully, I submit that it is possible to design the system such that a ballot could still be spoiled as specified. Rather than store the ballot record immediately when the "cast ballot" button is pressed, it could be moved to an intermediate memory location. At this point, the system should not allow anyone to view or alter the record, but an administrator could still spoil it and allow the voter to begin the voting process again. When a new voter initiates the voting process on this machine, the previous voter's ballot record is then moved from this intermediate location to its proper final location. Obviously, there would have to be safeguards to prevent the possibility of voter A's ballot being spoiled on the word of voter B. Also, because the voter's ballot is not actually cast at the time s/he presses the "cast ballot" button, this feature might not be available in some jurisdictions without enabling legislation. Many people would oppose this plan entirely, but I believe that it is worth serious consideration. DREs present us several opportunities that were not available with other systems; progress is scary sometimes, but often worth the effort. If we decide not to go forward with something like this, at least let that be an informed decision rather than a swift jerk of the knee. Of course, this is just my opinion. Thank you for your consideration.