New Voting Machines

It appears that the elected officials in Texas are finally beginning to address the problems of voter fraud. The purchase of voting machines with auditable paper records is a valuable step, but, only a step towards ensuring vote integrity. The Wilco Sun reported in the January 13, 2019 issue that the elections administrator is moving ahead.

Pending Commissioners Court approval, Williamson County voters should anticipate using new voting machines when November elections roll around.

Elections Administrator Chris Davis said he expects the county to spend about $4.5 million to buy 800 to 900 new touch-screen voting machines this year. They would replace machines in use for a decade or more. “Our hope is we can [approve] a purchase in mid-to late spring,” Mr. Davis said. 

Budget Officer Ashlie Koenig said commissioners budgeted $4.5 million for new machines in August 2018, as part of the county’s overall $364 million budget for fiscal 2018-19. She said commissioners will still need to OK whatever specific machines Mr. Davis proposes. “He is not allowed to make that purchase until the court blesses it,” Ms. Koenig explained. 

The machines under consideration would create a paper trail for ballots. Each voting machine would print a piece of paper the voter can examine to ensure the ballot was cast correctly. “People want that paper copy to back up the electronic ballot,” Ms. Koenig said. Mr. Davis said voters should not think the printout would be a “receipt” they can take with them when they leave the polling place. Voters would put that piece of paper into an electronic tabulations box, from where it would later be counted. 

Mr. Davis said training for election workers and a public awareness campaign will be offered in advance of November elections for cities, school boards and any constitutional amendments the state legislature might propose.

There are other issues to be addressed in the current voting system. The principle issue is securing and isolating the counting computer from any and all unauthorized equipment and personnel that may contaminate the counting of the votes.

Look for legislation in the 86th Texas Legislature that will address these issues.

Remember, Joseph Stalin said some version of "It's not the people who vote that count, it's the people who count the votes."

The citizens must be vigilant if our Republic is to be preserved.