Guv proposes paper ballots

[rogue emissary]

SANTA FE - New Mexico could have a statewide paper-ballot system in place by the
November general election.

Gov. Bill Richardson said Thursday he will propose legislation that requires a
paper ballot voting system in all counties, and wants lawmakers to allocate $11
million to help buy it.

The switch has election officials' support and backing from activists who oppose
the use of electronic voting machines.

Richardson said the proposed system would be more reliable than punch cards,
which threw the 2000 presidential election into turmoil, and also provide a
paper trail for post-election auditing that some electronic machines don't have.

Eleven counties now use the proposed system in which voters mark paper ballots
that are tabulated by an optical scanner.

The system also serves disabled and non-English-speaking voters, as required
this year by federal law.

Richardson said his goal was to have a standardized voting system to restore
public confidence in elections. . . .

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_local_state_government/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19859_4386113,00.html