Don't Rush Voting Changes in W.Va.

OP/ED By The Wheeling West Virginia News-Register

As if there were not already plenty of questions concerning a mandated change to electronic voting in West Virginia, a new concern surfaced this week. It ought to convince legislators to go slowly on any state-required changes.

Federal law, enacted in the wake of election fiascos in 2000, requires that old voting systems be replaced by electronic equipment. The law stipulates that changes must be made by elections this fall - but it allows counties to seek extensions until 2006. Many already have done so.

West Virginia Secretary of State Joe Manchin, the state's chief elections officer, already has said he wants to delay changes until questions concerning security are addressed to his satisfaction. Specifically, Manchin worries that some electronic systems may be too vulnerable to "hackers" who could alter votes.

Manchin has put himself squarely in the camp of those who want electronic voting devices in West Virginia - but he is wise to insist that a new system be reliable and honest, not just new.

Another question about electronic voting machines came up this week. Devices used in West Virginia should provide paper receipts for voters using them, a state senator said. The receipts could be used in election recounts and would be one safeguard against fraud, Sen. Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, explained.

Some proponents of a speedy changeover say paper receipts are not necessary. Besides, they add, it might be difficult to provide them.

Perhaps so - but Rowe's suggestion may have merit.

Manchin is continuing to study the issue of electronic machines and, within a few weeks, expects to know more. Until at least then, legislators should take no action on the matter.

In fact, they should do nothing that would force counties into acting prematurely. There is plenty of time before the 2006 extended deadline for West Virginia to act on the mandated change. Every day needed to ensure that an expensive mistake isn't made should be used by elections officials.