Va., Md., will drop machines used for electronic voting {AP, WV Gazette}

[eppur_se_muova]

W.Va. candidates want inquiry here
In the midst of national controversies about electronic voting machines, Maryland and Virginia plan to go back to paper ballots.
By Paul J. Nyden
Staff writer
In the midst of national controversies about electronic voting machines, Maryland and Virginia plan to go back to paper ballots.

Voters in several West Virginia counties have complained that touch-screen machines, made by Election Systems & Software, flipped their votes from Democrat to Republican candidates when they cast early ballots this month.

"Maryland will scrap its $65 million electronic system and go back to paper ballots in time for the 2010 midterm elections," the Washington Post reported Thursday.

Last year, Maryland's General Assembly voted unanimously to dump electronic voting machines. However, Maryland won't finish off its $65 million debt for the soon-to-be-phased-out machines until 2014. Switching to paper ballots could cost the state another $40 million.

The Virginia legislature passed a law last year that prohibits the state from purchasing any additional electronic voting machines, but it probably will take several years to completely switch back to paper ballots, the Post added.
***
more: http://wvgazette.com/News/200810300890

ON EDIT: There was an AP release on this. Couldn't find it at WashPo for whatever reason. Here's a link to a Delmarva TV station that credits AP:

Md., Virginia Will Return to Paper Ballots

10/30/2008 9:05 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP)- After Tuesday's election, Maryland and Virginia will return to paper ballots, scraping or phasing out electronic voting machines that were once considered state of the art.

Maryland will get rid of its $65 million electronic system and return to paper ballots for the 2010 midterm elections- and will still be paying for the trashed system until 2014.

In Virginia, jurisdictions will ease toward paper after the General Assembly voted last year to phase out electronic voting machines as they wear out.

The two states say paper ballots filled out by hand are more reliable, especially in a recount.

It was not long ago that electronic voting machines were called a computerized panacea to the hanging chad, a system unaffected by things that some say make paper ballots vulnerable.
***
more: http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?s=9264896

[ShortnFiery]

1. Yes, us Virginians are doing a "happy dance."

:woohoo:

[The River]

5. This One is Too

but in a seated position.
too inebriated

[RoccoR5955]

2. GREAT!! And here in NY, next year we will be getting rid of

our old reliable mechanical lever machines!

[deepthought42]

3. I was a little relieved to learn this

I used one of those in the '06 election, the first time I was actually home in MD for the election and not in school...and I was a little uncomfortable about the experience.

[bluesmail]

4. 2010.