Letters-to-the-Editor & Commentary

Keep Paper Ballots

Published 4 hours ago4h ago • Bookmarks: 1

May 31, 2026

New Yorkers have voted on paper ballots (hand marked or using a ballot marking device, known as BMD) since 2010. The system works, but the system is now in danger.

The scanners for ballots and the BMDs are breaking down. The County Boards of Elections must replace aging paper ballot systems. Counties could simply replace scanners and BMDs, but some are replacing the entire paper ballot system with machines that only record votes electronically, with no physical record of the mark you make to register your vote. Only the physical mark on a saved, physical paper ballot can provide absolute proof of your vote. A paper ballot is saved and can be recounted manually to confirm an election result.

Replacement of the hand marked paper ballot system also wastes money. Electronic voting machines much cost more than the scanners and BMDs now in use. Counties will also need more machines to serve the same number of voters, increasing the cost of maintaining, storing, and testing the equipment.

Tell your county election board to keep paper ballots. They are cheaper and more secure than electronic voting systems.

Ask your State Senator and Assembly Member to support VIVA, the Voter Integrity and Verification Act (S7116 Cleare and A6287 Cunningham)

Protect your right to use a paper ballot in future elections. Call before the legislative session in Albany ends on June 4, 2026.

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