16M Americans will vote on hackable paperless machines (technologyreview.com)

Article summary

At least eight American states and 16 million American voters will use completely paperless voting machines in the 2020 US elections, despite warnings from cybersecurity and national security experts. Paperless voting machines are considered a security risk, and many experts recommend using paper ballots and audits to ensure election security. The use of paperless machines persists despite a strong consensus among experts that they are not secure. Some election technology companies have stopped selling paperless machines, but others continue to do so.

Main themes

• election security
• paperless voting
• cybersecurity risks
• voting technology
• election integrity

What commenters say

• Electronic voting machines pose a significant threat to democracy and should be replaced with paper ballots.
• The use of paperless voting machines is a partisan issue, with one party blocking legislation to mandate paper ballots.
• Voting systems should prioritize security and verifiability over speed and convenience.
• Blockchain technology could potentially be used to create a secure and transparent voting system.
• The risks associated with electronic voting machines are not unique to this technology, and other forms of voting also have vulnerabilities.
• Mandatory audits and hand-marked paper ballots can help to ensure the integrity of elections.
• The benefits of electronic voting, such as increased accessibility, do not outweigh the potential risks to election security.
• Random audits can be an effective way to detect and prevent election fraud, but some argue that they are not sufficient to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process.