DRE stands for Direct Recording Electronic Recording or "Touch Screens". Paper ballots have their problems. But unlike the old days where you had to pay a lot of people off to rig an election now all it takes is 1 rogue programmer and a few lines of code that disappears when the machine is turned off. All balloting systems have "problems" of one sort or another. But I'm a firm beliver in the KISS principle, Keep It Simple, Stupid. Most people can handle paper and ink, and illiterate voters can obtain qualified assistance.
The DRE method lacks a means of audit that is sufficiently transparent and reliable to satisfy the voting public (if they bothered to peek behind the curtain), and I agree, set the stage for sham elections.
We aren't very far removed from third-world election practices, that is, adopting DRE, in conjunction with an efective ministry of propaganda (already in place) would facilitate the perpetration of sham elections in this country. It is possible, and will happen eventually if the people allow it.
By RACHEL KONRAD
Associated Press Writer
December 18, 2003
SAN FRANCISCO -- A manufacturer of electronic voting machines has
employed at least five convicted felons as managers, according to
critics demanding more stringent background checks for people
responsible for voting machine software.
I brought the information about the felons to light. It is a real problem and again only takes 1 rogue programmer. Sham elections are already happening. Republicans have sued over these things.
Some people would rather stick their heads in the sand over this though.
Glad your not one of them.
http://seclists.org/lists/isn/2003/Dec/0078.html