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It has been said that the Harris County, Texas "eSlate" system has been the benchmark system for other States to consider utilizing in their elections...

It is not a touch screen system, it utilizes a mechanical "scrolling" system that highlights a choice that is entered by a separate "enter" button, not on the screen...

There are several other functions that give the voter the ability to skip to the "next" or "previous" screen, and it even has a "help" button, that pauses the voting process (by choice of the voter) and at last a "cast ballot" button in red...

The only drawback I saw this time is the increased risk of an inadvertant "cast ballot" punch...Instead of hitting enter to tabulate your choice, hitting the cast ballot button is pretty much the "coup de grau"...

You are done at that point, your "vote" is in the can, and there is no way to retrieve, cancel or redo your vote if your not happy...

The only thing I'd like to see is a plastic hard cover over the cast ballot button to keep any inadvertant contact from casting your ballot before your ready...

I saw several of these happen yesterday, and am going to officially suggest that design modification to the machines before the next election...

Even though this is a mechanical type computer voting system, I believe the parts and microswitches are robust enought to stand up better than a sensitive touchscreen system that can develop areas of pressure bleed out that can advance and blend into other areas that may confuse and register another selection...

But thats just my opinion...

They make it a point to educate people that these are not touchscreen systems, but it amazes me that there are still people around that start punching at the screen thinking its going to work...And even during our training, some people still try to touch something to make it works...

Amazing...