La. overseas voting system among worst in U.S.

A new report analyzing states’ programs for overseas and military voters gives Louisiana and Delaware the lowest marks in the country, and says The Bayou State is among a half dozen that are least prepared for problems and most susceptible to cyberattacks. The report was released today by Common Cause, Rutgers Law School and the Verified Voting Foundation. It calls Louisiana’s plan “inadequate,” and says hackers could pose a problem for the state because it’s among 24 that lets overseas voters return their ballots using the Internet, email or fax. Louisiana is also faulted in the report for not providing backup paper ballots at polling places. Elections Commissioner Angie Rogers tells USA Today that the state cannot afford the cost of backup ballots—more than $150,000 — and instead ensures that each polling place has at least two machines in case one breaks down. Secretary of State Tom Schedler, meanwhile, says Internet voting is not ready yet in the state, which currently accepts ballots by fax. “I envision that one day it’s going to occur, especially if you want to attract a younger voter,” Schedler says. Read the full story here; and access the complete report here.