The problem with the vote

Yes, it's Diebold again. This is what depresses me most about the current situation. The voting machines are run by Republicans and are easily hackable. This is explained in an article entitled, "Experts see new Diebold flaw: They call it worst security glitch to date in voting machines and a 'big deal'". Here's part of what it says:

Computer security experts say they have found the worst security flaw yet in the oft-criticized touch-screen machines that Maryland voters will use in this year's elections, leaving one computer scientist to warn that the state should have "stacks of paper ballots" on hand in case of a complete Election Day breakdown.

The machines, made by Diebold Elections Systems, are "much, much easier to attack than anything we've previously said," said Avi Rubin, a Johns Hopkins University computer science professor who first cast doubt on the reliability of the technology in a 2003 report."

On a scale of one to 10, if the problems we found before were a six, this is a 10. It's a totally different ballgame," he said.

The new problem is being described as an intentional hole left in the system to allow elections workers to update voting software easily. Instead of using pass codes or other security protocols, anyone with access to a voting machine could install new software that could easily disable a precinct full of machines, Rubin said.
...
Rubin said he fears that the latest security problem could be serious enough to cause an Election Day "meltdown" that could put precincts of machines out of action. He recommends that counties have a pen-and-paper alternative on hand as insurance.

When are we going to get election reform in this country? What we need is hand counted (by observers from both parties) paper ballots. It's the only way for elections to be free and fair.