Study finds e-voting machines short on security

A recent report from the Task Force on Voting System Security, at New York University 's rather ominous sounding Brennan Center for Justice has determined that the e-voting machines currently utilized in 26 states have serious security issues. The machines currently use paper receipts to verify a voter's selection, but only regular audits of collected data can ensure that the numbers kept in the machine actually match those printed on the slips. As of right now, many states and counties are not required to perform these audits, leaving plenty of room for malicious misrepresentation. Luckily, the report also claims that other fixes, such as banning electronic devices in booths and eliminating wireless components, are so simple they could easily be implemented for 2006's election season, so you should be able to cast your vote with confidence, at least until the whole world adopts the American Idol-style SMS voting the Swiss have been messing around with.