Invisible ink voting

WASHINGTON -- Before you cast your ballot on Nov. 4, can you be sure that your vote will be counted -- and counted correctly?

It has been eight years since major voting problems in Florida spurred changes in the way that America votes, moving toward electronically enabled voting. But issues with the new systems continue to plague the political process.

Much of the challenge comes from simple vote verification – ensuring that the choices a voter entered into the machine are the ones that are recorded when the tally is made. While some states allow voters to see a printout of their vote, others, including parts of swing states Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida, have no such paper trail.

The problem is more exaggerated in Virginia, according to a new report by Verified Voting and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

The study found that Virginia’s practices were “inadequate” or need “improvement” when it comes to paper trails, audit procedures, and the availability of paper ballots as backup in the event of a failure of electronic voting equipment.

According to Pamela Smith, the president of Verified Voting, Virginia is taking steps to correct some of its shortcomings but the state is still behind the curve.

The status of the voting machines has put election officials in Virginia in tough positions. Jeremiah Vangen, the registrar in the city of Fairfax, Va., is one example.

Vangen said the city received money when the Help America Vote Act passed by Congress in 2002, to convert its system to touch-screen Direct-recording electronic machines, or DREs. But the Commonwealth of Virginia no longer allows any counties to purchase the DRE machines because of reported computer problems. (Certain cities in Virginia -- Fairfax being one of them -- operate as counties.)

The 2002 federal law originally provided money for local jurisdictions to make the switch away from flawed voting methods, such as the punch ballots which drew scorn in Florida. But no follow-up money has been approved by Congress.

Vangen said he understands that voters want to see evidence that their ballots are properly recorded.

“It comes down to being able to pay for it,” Vangen said. “Budgets are hurting all over the country. The city of Fairfax is no different.”

Repeated attempts by Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., to amend the law to require a paper trail of all votes have failed in Congress. His latest effort in April, which would have reimbursed states for a portion of the cost of providing paper ballots and counting the results, did not gain enough Republican support to pass.

Vangen needs more machines just to meet demand but his hands are tied as he awaits a federal decision on what new voting systems will meet federal standards. It is a headache for registrars everywhere as they struggle with competing priorities, he said.

“The DREs are prohibited (by Virginia) and we can’t buy anymore right now,” he said. “My biggest fear is making sure we have enough until we can find out if we will have cash to buy more voting machines.”

Despite fears, Vangen said that the electronic voting machines in Fairfax are tested thoroughly and are certified by the state.

Still, Smith said members of her group will continue to work with states across the country until Election Day to see what they can do about having paper ballots available everywhere.

“[Voting] is one of those rare areas where maybe more technology isn’t better,” Smith said.