Are U.S. Elections Legitimate? The History of Electronic Voting

• In Event: Electoral Accountability, Integrity, & Security

Abstract

The paper traces the historical development of the United States’ electronic voting system, specifically analyzing the ongoing political debate surrounding the 2000, 2004 and 2016 presidential elections. The paper explores the claims of Russians hacking the 2016 election in contrast to private vendors’ control of our voting hardware and software. The paper suggests that the continuing presence of partisan, for-profit corporate vendors using proprietary software is what calls into question the very legitimacy of the U.S. voting system.
The paper contains a detailed analysis of the Moss v Bush election challenge in 2004 as well as the subsequent King Lincoln Bronzeville case. Both cases revealed glaring flaws in voting machine security and the evidence indicates a lack of legitimacy in Ohio’s 2004 election
The paper looks at the unprecedented three state presidential recount initiated by the Jill Stein Green Party campaign. The paper also focuses on public policy options that could establish the re-legitimacy of the electronic voting system. The paper concludes that the U.S. voting system has fundamental problems with legitimacy that vary from state to state.

Author

• Robert J. Fitrakis, Columbus State Community College