Question

E-Voting - As Elections will be taking place this week consider the following: E-voting—casting ballots online or via an electronic e-voting machine—has been surrounded by controversy. Concerns include the accuracy and security of e-voting machines, the ability of online voting systems to prevent someone from voting as another individual and to protect the privacy of votes cast electronically, and the ability to perform an accurate recount.

For this assignment, research the current status of e-voting. Is e-voting being used in throughout the United States and in particular New Jersey?

If so, have universal standards been developed for all United States e-voting machines used in or is that decision made on a state-by-state basis?

Answer 1

E-Voting varies across the United States, with no universal standard. Methods range from electronic machines to paper ballots, and the decision on which to use is made by individual states. New Jersey uses a mix of electronic and paper, while online voting is still experimental due to security concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

E-Voting has sparked considerable debate regarding its security and reliability. In the United States, voting methods vary by state and even by precinct. Some states use mechanical voting machines, punch-card systems, or electronic touch-screen machines. While more traditional forms like paper ballots are still in use, there has been exploration into online voting systems, despite concerns about vote privacy and fraud. The chaos of the 2000 election highlighted the disparities in voting methods, prompting discussions about standardizing the process, but cost has been a prohibitive factor. In some states, such as Oregon, mail voting has become the norm, leading to higher voter turnout but facing criticism regarding its impact on civic engagement and the timing of vote casting.

As for New Jersey, the methods used today can be a combination of electronic voting machines and the more traditional paper ballots. Although some states have begun experimenting with online voting systems, they are generally in the developmental or testing stages due to security and privacy concerns. There is no universal standard for E-Voting machines in the United States; decisions and regulations on E-Voting are made at the state level, leading to a variety of systems being utilized across the country.