Protecting Elections With Proven, Secure Methods

I’m writing to urge you to support phasing out electronic voting machines — including ballot-marking devices and touchscreen systems — in favor of hand-marked paper ballots with optical-scan counting and routine risk-limiting audits. This is a non-partisan request based on clear security research. Experts from Princeton, MIT, Michigan, and Verified Voting have shown that all electronic voting machines contain exploitable vulnerabilities, regardless of brand or ownership. Because these systems rely on proprietary software the public cannot examine, they inherently weaken trust in election outcomes. Hand-marked paper ballots provide a voter-verified record that cannot be altered by software, malfunction, or hacking. When paired with optical scanners and risk-limiting audits, they create the most secure and publicly trusted voting model used around the world. Accessibility needs can still be met with limited-use ballot-marking devices for voters who require them, but machines should not be the default for all voters. I respectfully ask you to support legislation that: 1. Makes hand-marked paper ballots the statewide standard. 2. Phases out touchscreen and electronic marking devices for general use. 3. Requires routine risk-limiting audits after each election. These steps strengthen election security, protect public confidence, and uphold democratic stability for future generations. Thank you for your service and attention to this issue.