Thread by @politico

Paperless voting machines are just waiting to be hacked in 2020. But a startling number of counties don't plan on doing anything about it. politi.co/2T6Ke7H

Cybersecurity experts are urging jurisdictions to replace paperless machines. But these states still used them in 2018:
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
New Jersey
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas politi.co/2T9qnod

We spent 5 months asking election officials in the 14 states who used paperless voting machines last year about their plans to switch to paper. Here’s what we learned 👇 politi.co/2T6Ke7H

1. Many counties don’t have enough money to upgrade. In hundreds of small counties, election officials can’t afford to buy new voting machines, however insecure their current systems are. politi.co/2T6Ke7H

2. Some county officials prefer paperless machines. Their adjustable font sizes and simple interfaces make them easy for even first-time voters. politi.co/2T6Ke7H

3. Serving voters with disabilities presents election security challenges. And accessibility requirements encourage counties to keep paperless machines rather than explore alternative options. politi.co/2T6Ke7H

4. Bureaucratic roadblocks get in the way. Some election officials told us they were waiting for permission from their legislative bodies before they could update voting machines. politi.co/2T6Ke7H

5. One paper-based voting system has already become as the front-runner: the ExpressVote. But security experts have criticized the system, saying it’s still vulnerable. politi.co/2T6Ke7H

Lawmakers have floated a few bills that would encourage states to improve election systems, but none has gained enough support to pass.

Here's where the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates stand on election security. 👇 politi.co/2OGJtDN