Election reforms: Paper or electronic?

No hanging chads, but critics say technology is prone to hackers

Monday, September 08, 2003
BY KEVIN COUGHLIN
Star-Ledger Staff

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Citing a controversial academic study released in July, computer scientists and security experts are warning that democracy should not be entrusted to electronic "touch screen" voting systems.

Recent findings suggest the machines -- sometimes called "DRE" machines for Direct Recording Electronic -- are prone to hacking, critics say. Tampering is hard to detect because companies making the machines are secretive about how they work, add the critics.

They prefer a more retro technology: Paper and ink.

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New Jersey officials are canvassing the state's 21 counties to see what election equipment is needed, while pondering paper verification, said Ramon de la Cruz, director of the state election division.

So far, New Jersey has about $16 million in federal funds for new voting equipment and is awaiting another $23 million, de la Cruz said. New Jersey and other states may seek to extend next year's federal deadline to 2006, he said.

"We want to get it right," said de la Cruz, who also must cobble together a centralized voter registry to satisfy the federal law.

Editor's Note: Way to go, New Jersey! Do whatever it takes to "get it right" because there is NOTHING more important than the integrity of our elections to insure that we will still HAVE a democracy in 2004!

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