The comments on this have lots of folks focused purely on the software, talking about a lack of paper ballots, etc. So, let me provide some more context that is missing from the post.
For those who don't know the VotingWorks software is both Open Source and their machines create and count paper ballots. You can read about it here: https://www.voting.works/machines
Essentially they have a computer, a ballot marking device, that people can use to mark their ballot. That ballot is printed on paper. Then the paper can be validated visually. Then fed into a machine to scan and count. The paper ballot is preserved and can be later audited.
The ballot marking device has a number of advantage over pre-printed and hand marked ballots:
- American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant using standard web technologies
- Available in applicable languages without lots of translated papers on hand
- Errors or typos in ballots can be fixed days before election instead of weeks (due to print shop lead times)
- Better UX for complex races where things like ranked choice, choose three, etc with rules which can cause people to mismark and then have their ballots rejected
- Avoids sloppy/incomplete markings that must be interpreted and judged by counters/auditors
The entire system runs offline. It is open source.
They also have separate open source software for running risk limiting audits using the paper ballots: https://www.voting.works/audits
This is an excellent overview & much needed context. I read the (very short) OP but didn't dive into other sections of the website (which is not an initiative I'd previously been aware of).
Probably a difficult task to ensure all readers of all pages on the entire website are fully aware of this context in advance - I'd imagine this kind of averse reaction will continue to be common until these kind of hybrid systems become more widespread (or the interests pushing paperless are comprehensively silenced, which seems less likely).
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That said, now that I do have full context, I do have two criticisms:
1. Clicking through to the VotingWorks frontpage, the copy still doesn't really highlight in a very obvious manner the paper nature of the system. You really have to analyse the website to figure this detail out.
2. The homepage does contain a section entitled "Faster Election Results" - which I do think flies directly in the face of many criticisms in the HN comments here & I personally believe to be an approach that's incompatible with democratic integrity. Counts should simply not be trying to be fast as a high priority - verifying the automated count by hand is insufficient if it isn't done as a matter of course. Ideally, live, while the count is taking place. The latter is not feasible with an automated system, & the former is a lot more likely to be overlooked if speed is a priority.
We don't just need systems that can be fair, we need systems that incentivize fairness & don't contain perverse incentives - count speed is exactly such an incentive.
For those who don't know the VotingWorks software is both Open Source and their machines create and count paper ballots. You can read about it here: https://www.voting.works/machines
Essentially they have a computer, a ballot marking device, that people can use to mark their ballot. That ballot is printed on paper. Then the paper can be validated visually. Then fed into a machine to scan and count. The paper ballot is preserved and can be later audited.
The ballot marking device has a number of advantage over pre-printed and hand marked ballots:
- American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant using standard web technologies
- Available in applicable languages without lots of translated papers on hand
- Errors or typos in ballots can be fixed days before election instead of weeks (due to print shop lead times)
- Better UX for complex races where things like ranked choice, choose three, etc with rules which can cause people to mismark and then have their ballots rejected
- Avoids sloppy/incomplete markings that must be interpreted and judged by counters/auditors
The entire system runs offline. It is open source.
They also have separate open source software for running risk limiting audits using the paper ballots: https://www.voting.works/audits
Disclosure: I am a donor to VotingWorks.