Voting Technology

Current Issues:

Voters Aren't Getting Voting System They Deserve (2019)

Because computers lack transparency, are vulnerable to hacking, and cannot guarantee accuracy, their use in elections should be minimized. Where computers are used, such as in scanning ballots, the accuracy of the count should be confirmed prior to certification.

We support the use of hand-marked paper ballots wherever possible. Computers (ballot marking devices) should be used only when hand-marked paper ballots cannot be adapted for use by the voter. The use of computers (scanners) to count the ballots, although required for rapid reporting of election results, necessitates additional safeguards, such as the use of risk-limiting audits.

Analysis of Nov. 2018 SC Election Data: See the Press Release with contact information for November 2018 SC Election Data Analysis; for analysis of November 2018 SC Election Data: Here

Position:

LWVSC supports:

12. Protecting the integrity of the electoral process in the way elections are conducted by:

a. Purchasing only voting systems that include a paper ballot. Acceptable machines must ensure the protection of privacy, allow the voter to verify their vote, and provide a reliable basis for a recount if required.

b. Mandatory random testing of voting systems during every election.

c. Requiring that the source code of voting systems be open for inspection.

13. Independently verifying the results of all federal elections and elections of statewide officials before results are certified.