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Public witnesses urge delay on $12.7M electronic poll books; security, auditing concerns raised
Summary
Public commenters and election officials told the Appropriations Committee to defer a $12.7 million request for electronic poll books, citing security, lack of federal testing standards and the availability of current paper audit trails.
Several residents and local election officials urged the House Appropriations Committee to defer or reject a $12.7 million request in the Secretary of State’s budget intended for optional electronic poll books.
The nut graf: commenters told the committee that electronic poll books weaken transparency unless strong, specified safeguards and auditable paper backups are mandatory; some speakers argued hand‑marked paper ballots and current precinct registers provide adequate, auditable records.
Cornelia Almond of Metairie urged the committee to defer the request, saying the budget narrative did not show the ongoing operational costs for software maintenance, connectivity or security. "Electronic poll books should be carefully considered purchases with clearly outlined security and access measures," she said, noting that printed precinct registers already create an audible paper record.
Opponents offered specific security warnings. "Electronic poll books are a security disaster," said Christie Hite, who cited cybersecurity risks, wireless connectivity and a lack of federal testing and certification for poll books. Hite pointed to a recent executive order addressing information and communications technology (EO 13,873) and argued that, because elections are critical infrastructure, devices should be scrutinized for foreign‑adversary risk.
Election commissioner and Jefferson Parish election official John O'Dell and other local officials said some electronic tools currently help election administrators but stressed the importance of an auditable paper trail. "We find that that system works reasonably well and when used in conjunction with a paper system … it would be a very rational, auditable and reasonable way to keep our registration systems working," O'Dell said.
Bert Kiley, a parish board of election supervisors member, told the committee that the best protection against cyber risk is to retain paper systems already in place: "We already have a paper book system in place, and even the vendors will say that a paper backup is necessary in event of emergency. So if we already have to produce that… I think we could save $12,000,000 right there."
Ending: The hearing captured public concern and technical questions from legislators and commissioners; no appropriation vote was recorded in the transcript. Several witnesses recommended retaining or expanding hand‑marked paper ballots or requiring paper backups and detailed cost and security plans before large new purchases proceed.
