Senator Walczyk Opposes Touch Screen Voting Machines

The New York State Board of Elections has voted to certify the ExpressVote XL Universal Voting System, giving permission to counties to implement touch screen voting booths into their elections. As the Ranking Member of the New York State Senate Elections Committee, Senator Walczyk remains vehemently opposed to this decision and warns counties against introducing this new technology.

New York State already implements the most secure form of balloting possible, pen and paper. Anything other than pen and paper opens up every election to scrutiny during a time where faith in election integrity is already low. The New York State Board of Elections pushing touch screen balloting on voters right before a presidential election does not help restore faith in elections, it instead will arouse further suspicion of election tampering. There is no proof that these machines enhance convenience at the polling place, and will most likely lead to longer wait times at polling places as voters learn to navigate this new technology.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The validity of votes cast in person, at a polling site, with pen and paper have never been questioned. Elections are only scrutinized when Democrats meddle by introducing questionable policy which we clearly see here coming out of Albany,” said Senator Walczyk. “The State Board of Elections should not be concerned with pushing technology nobody asked for, instead they should be focused on making elections more secure and solving the low voter turnout crisis across the State.”

Opposition to touch screen voting machines is a bi-partisan effort including Board of Elections Commissioners and good government groups such as Common Cause NY. Their Executive Director, Susan Lerner, went as far to say that these touch screen voting machines are “a very expensive step backwards in voting technology.”

Senator Mark Walczyk represents the 49th Senate District, which includes the entire counties of Jefferson, Lewis, Hamilton and Fulton. As well as parts of Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Herkimer counties. Sign up for exclusive updates from the Senator via his weekly newsletter by clicking HERE or by emailing walczyk@nysenate.gov.