Goal for Florida: Smoother elections

OUR OPINION: STATE SHOULD AUDIT DISPUTED TOUCH-SCREEN MACHINES

 

Less than four months before the presidential election, one question still nags Florida election officials: Will voting machines work the way they are supposed to?

Voting-rights advocates and a U.S senator have doubts and want to test touch-screen machines in the 15 counties that use them to ensure their integrity. Secretary of State Glenda Hood has rejected one such audit request, saying that voters' unfamiliarity with the new technology has caused most problems. She makes a valid point. Thousands were stymied by confusing punch-card ballots four years ago.

Answer based on facts

There is, then, some truth on both sides. But how will Florida voters know for sure? State officials should work to dispel doubts that voting systems are flawed, while ensuring that voters are shown how to properly operate the new machinery.

As for possible flawed machines, officials owe voters a clearer answer based on investigation and facts. Ms. Hood should order an audit of touch-screen machines.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson this week added his voice to the chorus of skeptics. In a letter to Ms. Hood, he asks her to order an independent audit. Touch-screen machines are used in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Sen. Nelson cites reports that in the March presidential primary, counties using touch-screen machines reported eight times more undervotes than in the 52 counties that used optical-scan devices. There were 2,193 undervotes in touch-screen counties vs. 176 in optical-scan counties.

The Miami-Dade Election Reform Coalition made a similar request several weeks ago. Ms. Hood turned that one down. However, she may have acted too quickly. Studies have shown that undervoting occurs most often when voters face a large number of choices on the ballot. The March primary ballot had only one race. This gives credence to Sen. Nelson's contention that some errors may be machine induced.

In fact, the computers haven't been trouble-free. A report in January described security flaws that could enable hackers to disrupt voting; other tests found glitches in post-election audits used to verify election results.

Vote cast, vote counted

None of this inspires confidence in touch-screen machines or, ultimately, the accuracy of the election results. State election officials, including Ms. Hood, should make ensuring the accuracy of the vote a top priority. Ms. Hood should ensure that local districts have resources to demonstrate the proper use of touch-screen machines. More urgently, Floridians must know that the votes they cast will be accurately counted.