Critics watching voting machines

By CARLOS CAMPOS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/18/04

Georgia elections officials say they've tightened the security over the state's electronic voting system.

But critics of the state's 23,000 touch-screen machines continue to believe they are susceptible to vote-rigging.
More than 1 million Georgians are expected to cast ballots on the machines in Tuesday's party primaries. The State Election Board, chaired by Secretary of State Cathy Cox, has taken several steps to protect the machines from tampering, said Cox spokesman Chris Riggall.

Those measures include storing the machines with a locked and numbered plastic seal when they are not in use and making sure the machines are secured once they are delivered to a poll.

In March, several machines delivered to a precinct at Georgia Tech were left out in the open before election day. There is no evidence of tampering, authorities said.

"Much of the debate about this is healthy in the sense that it increases awareness, not just among us, but among the 159 [county] elections officials, where the elections rubber hits the road," said Riggall.

Voting machines similar to Georgia's have come under heavy criticism in California, where the secretary of state has banned their use in certain counties and been highly critical of the company that manufactures them.

Legislation to outfit Georgia's machines with paper receipts to ensure that a voter's intent was properly recorded failed to pass the Georgia General Assembly. Cox opposed them, explaining that paper has historically been susceptible to fraud.

Touch-screen voting critics have been quiet in recent months. But several said last week they are regrouping for more aggressive opposition. They say the issue ultimately may lead to litigation.

"We are gathering evidence to make our case and you and the rest of the media haven't heard the last from us on this issue," said John Fortuin, a member of the League Opposed to Virtual Elections.

Hugh Esco, leader of a group opposed to the machines, said election day will energize the movement. "Every time people go through these elections, they're going to come away more mistrustful than ever before."