Direct
Recording Electronic (DRE)
The
most recent configuration in the evolution of voting
systems are known as direct recording electronic, or
DRE’s. They are an electronic implementation of
the old mechanical lever systems. As with the lever machines,
there is no ballot; the possible choices are visible
to the voter on the front of the machine.
The
voter directly enters choices into electronic storage
with the use of a touch-screen, push-buttons, or similar
device. An alphabetic keyboard is often provided with
the entry device to allow for the possibility of write-in
votes.
The
voter’s choices are stored in these machines via
a memory cartridge, diskette or smart-card and added
to the choices of all other voters.
In
1996, 7.7% of the registered voters in the United States
used some type of direct recording electronic voting
system.
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