Seek relevant and reliable data. Determine what we know about current voting processes, about their process capability, and about problems with the processes. Valid, reliable data can cut through partisan political rhetoric and emotion-based appeals. Examine all processes systemically. Standardize election processes wherever possible.
Standardization is an obvious improvement from a professional quality perspective.
Nevertheless, we realize that there are a number of factors that would deter standardization, all of which will have to be considered in the forthcoming national debate over how to fix the system. For example, the costs for replacing obsolete voting technology are carried by local governments, which often do not have resources adequate to the task. And if it comes to a choice between fixing roads or replacing voting machinery, many municipalities will choose to make do with the existing technology. Some communities are less able to bear the costs. In addition, political barriers related to local control over election procedures and technologies will not be easily overcome, nor can they be ignored.