Conn. to Require Paper Record of Votes

The Associated Press
Thursday, June 2, 2005

HARTFORD, Conn. Electronic voting machines in Connecticut will have to create a paper trail backup under legislation that passed in the state House Thursday by 147-0.

A spokesman for Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she will sign the bill, which was approved by the Senate last week.

The bill was crafted in response to fears that the new computerized technology is subject to hacking or breakdowns, leaving no way to verify how votes were cast.

"It's essential. There's a lot of mistrust of new technology," said Andy Sauer, executive director of government watchdog group Common Cause."

Under the legislation, voters will be able to check and correct their votes before they become permanent. The computer will create a paper receipt but will not include a voter's name or personal information. The paper records could be used in any recount.

Connecticut is currently reviewing bids from vendors willing to sell such machines, said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.