Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

North Carolina's latest election problem: New but not secure voting machines

ExpressVote machine

ExpressVote prints a barcode that can be read by another machine. While this satisfies a North Carolina law requiring printed verification, some advocates and academics argue a hand-marked ballot is more secure.

Nothing seems to work smoothly when it comes to elections in North Carolina. Just this year, for example, ballot fraud mandated the rare do over of a congressional election and the courts ordered yet another remapping of gerrymandered political boundaries.

Now comes another problem: The potential failure to properly certify new election systems.

Academics, advocates and some members of the state Board of Elections have questioned whether the board has properly reviewed the source code and security capabilities for three election systems, particularly the ExpressVote machines produced by ES&S, reports WRAL.


Concerns about the ES&S system center on its use of a touchscreen that produces a bar code printout, which is then read by another machine. This satisfies a state law that requires a paper verification, but does not assuage concerns about the system's security. Opponents prefer a hand-marked ballot.

Interested parties say they have been asking for answers to their questions for a number of weeks. Karen Brinson-Bell, executive director of the Board of Elections, emailed county officials to say she would have answers at a board meeting next week.

"The lack of response to date is irresponsible, given that the questions have been swirling for at least three weeks," Marilyn Marks, founder of the Coalition for Good Governance, wrote to the board. "Obviously, if the legally mandated certification work had been performed, documentation would have been produced weeks ago."

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

Read More

Friends at table having christmas dinner, smiling
Ariel Skelley/Getty Images

Tips for fostering meaningful relationships during the holidays

It’s that time of year again — the holidays. A season when our social constructs and traditions bring us together with family and friends who may not share our worldviews. While this can be a source of joy, it can also bring anxiety and fear. Yet, in this season when many of our traditions celebrate “miracles,” there is potential for healing and transformation, provided the will is there and the circumstances are right.
Keep ReadingShow less
Person i jacket that reads "War Crimes prosecutor"

A war crimes prosecutor examines the consequences of a Russian missile attack in central Odesa, Ukraine, on Nov. 25.

Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The current status and the future of the war in Ukraine

Ukraine is in the crosshairs of politics, domestically and globally. What is the status of this war, and what does the future hold for the Ukrainian people?

On Nov. 18, the Network for Responsible Public Policy hosted a virtual discussion to answer these questions and many more about the current situation on the ground, U.S. political sentiments and challenges, Russia’s threats to the region, its cozy relationship with some American leaders and more.

Keep ReadingShow less