December 26th, 2007
CO official wants return to paper ballots
Colorado’s secretary of state now says the state should junk electronic voting machines and go back to good ol’ paper ballots, The Rocky Mountain News reports.
“I have more confidence in having votes cast on paper ballots at the polls rather than relying exclusively on electronic voting machines or in voting by mail,” Mike Coffman said in a press release.
Voting integrity boosters applauded the move. “I don’t know if he’s getting pressure from somewhere or what,” Claudia Kuhns said. “Regardless, I still think it’s really good. I think it’s a huge step in the right direction.”
County clerks were less enthused. “Depending on which way the wind blows he’s changing his mind,” said Mesa County Clerk Janice Rich. “That still doesn’t give the counties any answers. There’s too many ‘what ifs’ out there.”
Coffman’s office conducted a yearlong review of all electronic voting systems used in the state after voters filed a lawsuit claiming the equipment was unreliable. As a result, he decertified all equipment made by Election Systems & Software, and conditionally approved equipment made by Diebold (now Premier Election Solutions.)
