Letter to Bob Graham Regarding Paper Receipts on DRE (Direct Recording Electronic) Voting Machines

March 12, 2004

Senator Bob Graham
524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

RE: Legislation to require paper receipts from DRE voting machines (Voter-Verified Paper Trails)

Dear Senator Graham,

The Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Florida’s Protection and Advocacy System, operates the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) program, which is mandated by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). It is PAVA’s goal to make sure that all aspects of voting in the state of Florida are accessible to persons with disabilities.

We are aware of your intent to enact legislation to require the generation of paper receipts from Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines to be provided to the voter for their review. To ensure compliance with Section 301(a)(3) of HAVA, as well as Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), these receipts must be made available in alternate formats, such as Braille and large print, for those voters who are visually impaired. Also, these alternative formats would have to be available in every precinct of every county of every state.

Enclosed is a copy of the League of Women Voters’ position paper on the subject, which explains several other reasons why the paper receipt concept is flawed. (click here to view it -- PDF, 30k)

We look forward to your response, since observance of the ADA and HAVA should be among your highest priorities.

Sincerely,

Ellen Piekalkiewicz
Interim Executive Director
Advocacy Center