Groups Ask For Paper-Based Voting System By November

Groups pushing for a paper-based voting system in Tennessee gathered at the state capitol yesterday, asking lawmakers for the go-ahead to invest in machines that give a physical receipt for a person’s vote.

Bernie Ellis is the organizer of an Internet-based, grassroots organization called “Gathering to Save Our Democracy.” He says it’s important to get the new machines in place by November.

“This is the most important election, but the next one always is. And we definitely need to get it right. And part of the way to get it right is to have voting systems that can be verified, that can be recounted if we need to.”

Ellis says Tennessee is one of only seven states remaining that have not scrapped paperless, touch screen machines in favor of a paper-ballot-based system. Only two counties in Tennessee have that kind of system.

WEB EXTRA

Ellis is working alongside others, like Eddie Bryan, chair of the Davidson County Election Commission.

“We’re gonna, in Davidson County, we’re gonna have to rent approximately 300 more machines. At that price we would be able to possible buy a few of these machines and use in the August election. And August election would be a training ground for the big election in November. I think this would be an excellent time for us to do it. All we need is just the approval to get it done.”

Bryan is one of the county level officials responsible for the accurate outcome of the votes.

The umbrella group for the various organizations pushing for a paper-based system is called “Common Vision Network.”

See our previous story on this issue.

The Senate and House bills are still waiting for attention in the Senate Finance and in the House Finance committees.