Voting Technology: How New Tech is Being Used in the Election Process

The voting process has undergone significant transformations over the years, evolving from simple paper ballots to sophisticated electronic methods. This evolution has been driven by the need to improve accuracy, efficiency, and security in the balloting system. As technology like artificial intelligence continues to advance and play an increasingly important role across industries, new methods are being developed to improve the election process. 

History and Evolution of Voting Technology 

The journey of voting technology in the U.S. began in the 1800s with the casting of votes vocally at a courthouse and later by hand-counted paper ballots, which were the primary methods of voting during that time. The paper ballots were marked by hand, typically with an “x” next to the desired candidate, and counted manually. Due to the nature of this process, it proved time-consuming and susceptible to human error or fraud.  

The introduction of mechanical lever machines in the 1890s marked the first significant technological advancement in voting. These machines allowed voters to cast their ballots by pulling a lever, which mechanically recorded the vote via a ticker system and were “counted by opening the machine and reading the numbers on the counters associated with all the candidates.” Although this method ensured more privacy and better accuracy, “by law, mechanical lever machines may no longer be used in federal elections, although they're sometimes still used in state and local elections.” 

In the 1960s, punch-card voting machines were introduced. These machines used cards with perforated holes that voters would punch to indicate their choice of candidate. A “chad” is the punched-out paper portion expected to fall off the ballot after a selection is made. However, the infamous "hanging chads" controversy, where many ballots featured a confusing half-punched hole during the 2000 U.S. presidential election, highlighted the flaws in this system, causing a major recount of the ballots for many states. This led to a push for more reliable, easy-to-use voting technologies as punch-cards are now illegal to use in U.S. federal elections. 

Electronic voting machines were first available in the 1970s, including direct-recording electronic (DRE) systems and Scantron-style ballots. DRE systems allow voters to make their selections much like a lever system but via a touchscreen computer system instead, while optical scanners can read marked paper ballots. Despite their advantages, these methods face scrutiny over security concerns and their potential for hacking. 

Modern Voting Technologies 

Today, a variety of voting technologies are used across the United States. Ballot marking devices (BMDs) are one of the most widely used systems, allowing voters to mark their choices electronically before printing a paper ballot for scanning and counting. Optical scanners remain popular as well due to their ability to quickly and accurately count marked paper ballots. Hybrid voting systems combine elements of both DRE and optical scanning technologies as a type of failsafe method.  

Open-source voting machines are gaining traction to increase transparency and trust in the electoral process. Unlike the commonly used proprietary systems, open-source companies like VoterWorks publish their source code, allowing for public scrutiny and verification. This approach aims to address concerns about the secrecy and potential vulnerabilities of traditional voting machines, as well as the data collected and stored by proprietary companies. 

All modern voting systems incorporate multiple layers of security to safeguard against tampering and fraud. These measures include secure software, encryption, and rigorous testing and certification processes. Additionally, many states have implemented post-election audits to verify the accuracy of election results. These factors help ensure fair and accurate elections, and the need for continued vigilance and transparency remains of the utmost importance. 

The Role of AI in Elections 

Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize the voting process by enhancing security, efficiency, and voter engagement. AI can be used to analyze vast amounts of data to detect patterns and anomalies that may indicate fraudulent activity, allowing election officials to investigate potential issues like voter fraud or mechanical failures more quickly and effectively. 

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can also improve voter engagement by providing real-time information about polling locations, candidate platforms, and voting procedures. These tools can help voters navigate the electoral process more easily to make informed decisions. 

However, the rise of AI also brings new challenges. Government officials warn that AI sources of information may be unreliable based on how AI currently accesses and generates data, thus precautions and fact-checking should be exercised. 

Deepfake technology, which uses AI to create realistic but fake audio and video content, poses a significant threat to election integrity as well. Deepfakes can be used to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion, potentially undermining trust in the electoral process. To combat this, many states have enacted legislation to regulate the use of deepfakes in political communications. 

Blockchain or decentralized technology can be used with AI and has the potential to create a secure and transparent voting system by providing an immutable record of votes. Some sources state that “blockchain works to be inherently secure and ensure original information is unchangeable, providing a single-source-of-truth and acting as a tracking method for any data recorded. When applied to voting, this could mean the opportunity for unaltered votes, voting transparency, increased online accessibility and more organized voting operations.” As technology continues to evolve, the future of voting will likely see even greater integration of AI and other advanced technologies in an effort to safeguard and improve the integrity of the election process. 

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