The Relative Merits of Openness in Voting Systems

In my testimony today, I consider the relative potential advantages and disadvantages of voting systems that can be subjected to objective independent analysis. I emphasize that openness in the design, development, and operation of voting machines can significantly enhance the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the election process. However, openness by itself is not a cure for voting errors and clandestine manipulation, because additional discipline is required throughout the entire process. Nevertheless, openness has significant potential to promote democratic values and enhance reliability and accuracy, which at present are very difficult to ensure with closed proprietary systems (which thus far have not exerted the requisite discipline).