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Electronic Voting Is A Bad Idea Essay

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Electronic voting machines can be seen as an improvement to many Americans, such as those with disabilities and citizens with a first language other than English. However there are downsides to the new approach that outweigh the benefits of the new voting system coming in to place.

In the passage, 'Electronic Voting Is a Bad Idea', there are numerous reasons stated advocating against the use of EVMs. In paragraph one it is said, "According to at least one study, poll workers are often poorly trained on how to use EVMs. Sometimes the workers don't even know how to turn the machines on!" In 'Everyone Should Be Able to Vote' it mentions that one of the main draws to using EVMs is that the disabled and those who need a ballot in a language other than English would find it easier to use. The inexperience of poll workers would simply cause more confusion to the voters with special requests. EVMs would also cause problems for citizens who have limited knowledge on how to use computers. It is cited in paragraph 3 of "Electronic voting Is a Bad Idea', "In a 2004 national survey, researchers from the California Insititute …show more content…

Stated in 'Electronic Voting Is a Bad Idea', "Ohio spent $115 million on EVM upgrades in 2014. Cash-strapped states can't afford this upkeep, so they end up with aging machines that don't work correctly." Machines that are not functioning properly can lead to errors such as the one that took place in Virginia in 2014 where dozens of voters reported that the machines had incorrectly recorded their votes. As well as technical errors, there is the possibility for malicious activity. Again from 'Electronic Voting Is a Bad Idea', the author explains, "Like all computers, EVMs can be hacked." It doesn't require a genius to tamper with the machines. In 2007, "It was found that malicious software can transfer EVM votes for one candidate to another without the voter noticing." That is an alarming thing to think

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