An open-secret voting system

Electronic voting machines allow software configuration of the ballots, adapt to a voter´s first language, and offer a touch-screen interface´s ease of use. These machines also make it easy to change a selection before pressing a final accept button. But as a means for counting votes, computer-based devices raise suspicions as to what exactly is going on inside the black box. It´s not hard to imagine all kinds of software irregularities, intended or otherwise, that might cause machine tallies to be skewed. Thus, mistrust of such machines runs rampant. The Internet´s strengths include easy access and broad public acceptance, but like the touch-screen voting machine, Internet software raises questions about security and integrity.