New “upgraded” software caused technical problems during the modem transmission of vote data.*

... At precincts with the worst problems, poll workers had to drive to the central elections office and hand deliver the results, Ms. Dunn [director of the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration] said.

The number of these "nonvotes," where a registered voter received a ballot but left without voting either yes or no, was more than twice SPLOST's 114-vote victory.

While election officials and political observers say the nonvoters likely would not have swayed the election in the other direction, some say they indicate continued problem's with Georgia's electronic voting system.

"There are people who are in the habit of voting," she said. "Civic duty and whatever else compels them to go to the polls, but they don't know enough about the matter to vote."