News

Florida won't require paper trail on e-voting

April 27, 2005

WPTV-TV: A measure that would limit early voting to eight hours a day in the two weeks before Election Day passed the House despite protests Tuesday from Democrats, who wanted to require a backup recorder for electronic touchscreen machines.

The bill (HB 1567), sponsored by Rep. Ronald Reagan, R-Bradenton, passed on an 83-35 vote, largely along party lines.

Opponents said keeping polls open during routine working hours doesn't make it more convenient for voters and many were disgusted that there was no interest in providing a paper backup for touchscreen equipment.

"Voters have complained about one thing overall, a paper trail," Rep. Ken Gottlieb, D-Hollywood, said. "This bill doesn't have it. We need a paper trail. We need a bunch of things to make elections better."

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