ATLANTA -- The state is asking vendors to submit proposals to replace Georgia’s voting machines. The state is planning to replace the 16 year old machines in time for the 2020 presidential election, and is asking vendors to present demonstrations at a meeting later this month.
As we’ve reported, tech experts say Georgia’s election system is dangerously outdated and vulnerable to hacking. The question is whether the state will stick with a computerized system – or go old school.
This week Travis County, Texas bought a new election system from one of America’s biggest and most well connected election vendors. The voting system will allow voters in the Austin area to use an electronic screen to ultimately cast a paper ballot.
And it’s not cheap. Travis County is spending $9.7 million to acquire and launch it. With nine times as many voters, Georgia could conceivably spend $87.3 million or more for the same system.
Some critics say the state should steer clear of any electronic system because of hacking concerns. When a Georgia commission met last month for a public hearing to change the state’s election system, plenty of Capitol lobbyists were among the spectators, representing the big electronic election system vendors.
"The state should be asking IT experts. They should be asking election integrity groups," said Sara Henderson of Common Cause Georgia. "But what we have found is that, more times than not, they’re asking lobbyists who are working for these vendors."
Georgia last used paper ballots in 2001, when Shirley Franklin was elected Atlanta mayor. That election was rife with allegations of mishandled ballots. In fact, paper ballots have a long history of fraud. Backers say an electronic system is easier for voters to use, would provide quicker tabulation times, fewer tabulation errors, and allow voters to easily correct mistakes before they cast their votes.
"It’s going to offer voters the best of both worlds: An electronic voting system that gives them fast and accurate results with a paper trail," Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir told reporters in Austin, when unveiling the new machines.
But paper ballots would eliminate the electronic interface that critics say is susceptible to hacking.
"Why don’t we keep... close tabs on those paper ballots, and use the minimal set of technology – which, by the way, is the least costly set – to count those ballots and report them on election day?" asked Dr. Rich DeMillo, a Georgia Tech cybersecurity expert.
The legislature is expected to decide this next year—after hearing from tech experts, and plenty of Capitol lobbyists.
