With only weeks to go before the election, it looks like many states are failing to follow best practices when it comes to voting. A newly released report by the Brennan Center for Justice looks at four different areas of preparedness:
1. Polling Place Contingency Plans
2. Requirements for Sound Ballot Accounting and Voter Reconciliation
3. Use of Voting Systems with a Voter Verifiable Paper Record
4. Conducts Post-Election Audit of Voter Verifiable Paper Record
Ten states (Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia) received "needs improvement" or "inadequate" in three of the four categories. New York was just average in terms of preparedness, receiving "Good" or "Generally Good" in the first two areas, but "Inadequate" in the second two areas.
Despite concerns, states are more prepared than in past elections, so let's hope that by 2012 these issues are resolved!
For more information on how technology is shaping the US presidential election, click here.