Two Wisconsin State Lawmakers want ban on paperless voting machines

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2004/11/27/news/z1news27.txt

Lawmakers want ban on paperless voting machines

By Tom Sheehan Tribune Capitol Bureau

MADISON — Two Democratic lawmakers say they'll push for a ban on electronic voting machines in Wisconsin, if such machines don't record a vote on paper each time a ballot is cast.

State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison and state Sen. Jeff Plale, D-South Milwaukee, say this year's presidential election revealed problems with electronic voting systems in three states that might have disenfranchised some voters. The lawmakers want to prevent problems that could occur in Wisconsin if communities adopt electronic voting systems, Plale said.

Without a paper trail, votes can be difficult or impossible to verify if questions arise, or if there's a need for a recount, Plale said.

About 87 percent of Wisconsin's municipalities rely on optical scanning equipment to count votes, said Kevin Kennedy, executive director of the state Elections Board. Optical scanning is based on paper ballots, which can be reviewed manually if there's a
problem. About 10 percent of Wisconsin municipalities rely only on paper ballots, and one community still uses lever-operated machines, Kennedy said. The city of Peshtigo is the only municipality in the state whose electronic voting system would have to be replaced if the ban is passed, according to an analysis of a similar proposal introduced last year.