Overview
Maryland’s current voting system is unacceptable. It does not allow voters to verify that the electronic record matches their intention and it does not produce a paper ballot to use in case of a recount. The absence of an independent record makes our elections vulnerable to software glitches, power failures and tampering. On top of that, the current system is at least ten times costlier to maintain, on an annual basis, than a precinct-based optical scan system.
Optical Scan vs. Touch Screen Voting
Physically separate paper ballots fed by voters through an optical scanner allow voters to inspect and verify their vote. And a random audit of paper ballots—comparing a sample of paper ballots with the results of the optical scan machine—would verify the scanner’s outputs.
Nationwide the trend is leaning toward optical scan: 38 states currently use optical scan technology. It’s time for Maryland to follow suit.
In 2006, Maryland PIRG helped pass legislation that requires Maryland’s voting system to produce a paper record starting with the 2010 election. Between now and then, the
Maryland Election Integrity Coalition will continue working with the State Board of Election to advocate for the system that will secure our elections best.
