New Jersey State Court Upholds Use of Vote-Counting Machines with No Paper Record

On September 1, a New Jersey Superior Court issued a lengthy opinion, upholding the use of vote-counting electronic machines that have no paper trail. Gusciora v Corzine, L-2691-04, Mercer County. The decision does require New Jersey elections officials to harden guidelines for anti-virus software, to prevent vote-counting computers from ever being connected to the internet, to improve seals on the machines, and to review procedures on preventing anyone from tampering with the machines while they are in storage or in transit.

New Jersey has already changed its law to require a paper trail, but the state hasn’t implemented the new law yet. Thanks to John Paff and John Carbone for this news.

Former Ohio Republican Legislator Will Seek Libertarian Nomination for Ohio Secretary of State

Charles R. Earl, a former Republican member of the Ohio legislature, is running in the Ohio Libertarian primary for Secretary of State. The primary is in May and Earl almost certainly will be the only candidate seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination for Secretary of State. Thanks to Kevin Knedler for this news. Earl was elected to the State House in 1982 and served one term.