Senate approves delayed paper ballot bill

The Associated Press - ATLANTA

The state Senate approved a plan Wednesday requiring Georgia's electronic voting machines to create a paper version of every ballot cast.

But the plan would not go into effect until after new federal guidelines _ which are expected to require a voting paper trail _ are adopted and Congress provides money for the change.

Sen. Tom Price, R-Roswell, sponsored the bill, saying voters need to be sure the vote they cast is accurately recorded.

Some citizen groups have worried that Georgia's computerized voting system, which has been in place since 2002, could be tampered with or that the machines could inaccurately record votes.

"Anything that decreases that confidence decreases the legitimacy of our democracy," Price said.

Price's original bill would have implemented the plan over the next two years. But senators of both parties expressed concerns over the plan's estimated $16 million price tag at a time when the state is cutting government programs in a recession-marred budget.

"We are cutting so many things in the budget," said Sen. Connie Stokes, D-Decatur. "I agree with you it's very important ... but where would we get the money to pay for this confidence?"

Price said the cost may be less than $16 million, perhaps far less if existing printers on Georgia's voting machines could be used instead of buying new ones.

"That's a small price to pay for confidence on the part of our citizens," said Price, who is leaving the Senate this year to run for Congress.

Senators nearly voted to table the bill after a lengthy debate, then approved an amendment by Sen. George Hooks, D-Americus, that requires the plan to wait until the federal Election Assistance Commission has handed down new voting guidelines.

The commission is expected to require some type of paper record and Congress is expected to fund the change.

Price said he was disappointed that the amendment passed, but still declared the passage of the plan a victory.

"It's a step forward," he said.

The bill now goes to the House.