Report: Paper Ballots More Secure, Accurate Than E-Voting

[kster]

Fortify Software gives tips for ensuring your vote is actually counted and uncompromised by hackers


OCTOBER 16, 2008 | Casting your ballot by paper is the safest bet that your vote will be counted in this year’s election, according to a new report on voting security by Fortify Software.

Fortify ranked the most popular voting mechanisms by security and privacy to help voters ensure their vote is actually counted and safe from hacking. No. 1 is hand-counted paper and then optical scan; absentee; direct recording electronic (DRE); lever machine; and punch card.

“In November, voters will participate in one of the most critical elections in U.S. history, and unfortunately many will still be at risk of inaccurate vote tallying and e-voting software vulnerabilities,” says Brian Chess, chief scientist and co-founder of Fortify Software.

Different states and voting precincts offer different voting options. Paper ballots may seem old-fashioned, but they are actually the most accurate when it comes to counting votes because they are counted manually and easier to track, the Fortify report said. They also give voters a chance to verify their choices before they place the ballots in the ballot box. Only 10 states offer this option, including Alaska, Colorado, Maine, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

No. 2 on the list is optical-scan voting, where a hand-cast paper ballot is scanned by a computer that counts it. This method is used in all but 10 states and is considered the most accurate and verifiable way to vote. Around 55 percent of all voters will use paper ballots or optical scan voting in this election, the report said.

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