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"Electronic voting" refers to two methods of collecting information from the voter -- "optical scan" systems, in which the voter fills out a paper ballot that is then scanned by a computer, and "touch screen" systems, in which the vote is cast directly on the machine. The following concerns have been raised about both methods:

1. Hardware/Software Reliability. On the hardware side there are concerns that mechanical failures in touch-screen machines arising from electrical outages and other causes may leave votes uncounted or miscounted, with no means of recovery. On the software side computer scientists and others warn that software deficiencies in some electronic voting systems may affect election outcomes.
2. Verifiability. If in a touch-screen system the record of votes cast exists only in digital form, there is no independent way to confirm that the votes were recorded accurately, and thus no way to conduct a reliable recount.
3. Security. There is concern that touch-screen voting systems are not secure enough to prevent hackers from accessing voting data and manipulating results. A widely reported Johns Hopkins study noted that a voter could easily replicate and alter the smartcard used to program a particular Diebold touch-screen machine to "cast multiple ballots without leaving any trace."

   (Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California")