GUSCIORA AUDIT BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton) applauded Governor Jon Corzine for signing A.2730/S.507 into law today.  The measure, sponsored by Assemblyman Gusciora, would require New Jersey to perform random audits of selected voting districts to ensure votes were properly tabulated.  This legislation, coupled with the requirement for voting machines to produce a voter verified paper trail, will create one of the most transparent voting systems in the nation.

            “The ability to vote and have that vote properly counted is a fundamental right in any democracy,” stated Gusciora.  “The Legislature has already mandated the need for a verifiable paper trail and the requirement to audit votes adds another layer of accountability.”

            Electronic voting machines, similar to the ones used across New Jersey have been proven to be susceptible to software glitches and computer hackers.  In 2007, a Princeton University Professor was able to tap into the hard drives of voting machines used in New Jersey. 

            “While computers provide added convenience and speed when calculating election results, this comes at a cost with the ever increasing risk for software and hard drive tampering,” continued Gusciora.

Other states are also addressing the issue of possible voting irregularities. Colorado recently decertified certain machines due to the possible of tampering and Ohio is providing voters with the ability to vote via paper ballot, if they so desire.

“Until action is taken at the national level,” concluded Gusciora, “states will continue to look for ways to improve their voting infrastructure and ensure each vote is counted and counted correctly.”

# # #