The recorded ballots are then packed into boxes again and stored for 22 months, as required by federal law. Accuracy, or lack of it, is also an issue. In a nearby county, Clouser says, a recount of the more than 500,000 ballots resulted in an increase of 44 for Texas Governor George W. Bush and an increase of 33 for Vice President Al Gore. The Wave of the Future Clouser, a computer teacher at a local college, does see elections gravitating toward computerized systems, but doesn't think it's time yet. He also says that in a state like Florida, the equation of climate and humidity and a lack of air-conditioning don't make the place conducive to widespread computer deployment.
Cost is another drawback to computer systems.
That's money that a lot of counties don't have, says Coulser. And in light of recent snafus with older-style systems, people and legislatures might be more willing to pay a little extra for accuracy. I may have voted for Buchannan not realizing because of the confusion on the ballot. These touch-screen systems make it clear to the voter who they're voting for. The Web Copyright 2000 ABC News Internet Ventures.