The United States primarily employs paper ballots for voting, typically marked by hand. In some cases, voters use ballot marking devices that generate a paper printout for submission. The trend of utilizing digital voting technology has evolved over time, with a notable decline in the use of paperless electronic voting systems since the mid-2000s. Countries have increasingly adopted paper ballots as a reliable method for auditing elections and identifying potential tampering.

America’s complicated relationship with paper voting

Following the disputed 2000 presidential election, significant investments were made in paperless voting machines, as the incident heightened concerns about the reliability of paper ballots. Local officials faced a complex situation involving “hanging chads” on punch-card ballots, which led to uncertainties regarding voter intent. To prevent similar confusion in the future, the federal government allocated $3 billion to encourage the adoption of direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines, which, lacking a paper trail, later sparked security concerns. By 2006, the use of paperless voting machines had increased, yet hand-marked paper ballots, verified through electronic tabulators, remained the preferred method.

Concerns around paperless voting have persisted since the early 2000s, intensifying after the 2016 presidential election when Russian interference raised alarms about election security. While there was no evidence that election outcomes were altered, officials recognized the importance of maintaining secure, verifiable election results.

Counties in six states still use paperless voting machines

Currently, counties in six swing congressional districts utilize paperless electronic voting systems, which poses risks during recounts as there are no physical votes to verify machine results. The potential for errors in unverified electronic counts emphasizes the need for reliable auditing mechanisms.

A new focus on paper… but machines are not going anywhere

Experts advocate for a return to paper ballots, citing their ability to enhance election security through verification and auditing. Currently, around 5% of registered voters are in jurisdictions using paperless systems, down from 31% in 2006, highlighting an ongoing trend towards securing elections with paper ballots while still leveraging machines for tallying.

Despite these advancements, widespread misinformation has resulted in diminished public confidence in electoral integrity. Recent surveys indicate that only about 20% of Americans express strong confidence in the election system.

Hacking concerns

While reports of successful electronic breaches remain unproven, past vulnerabilities identified in laboratory conditions underscore the importance of maintaining a paper trail. This approach helps build accountability and accuracy into the counting process.

An aging infrastructure

A significant challenge remains in the form of aging election equipment. Many jurisdictions still rely on devices that may no longer have accessible replacement parts, increasing the risk of delays and operational inefficiencies on election days.

Funding challenges

Addressing vulnerabilities in the electoral infrastructure requires clear funding strategies. Although Congress has allocated $800 million for election security in recent years, many experts argue that the support is insufficient and often arrives too late for effective implementation before elections.