Paper Ballot Advocacy
Paper ballots provide a physical, verifiable record of every vote cast. They remain the gold standard for election integrity worldwide.
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Every Vote Deserves a Paper Trail
Since 2004, we have advocated for election integrity through transparent, verifiable voting systems. Paper ballots are the foundation of trustworthy democracy -- learn why they matter and how you can protect your right to a verified vote.
The Case for Paper
Why Paper Ballots Matter
In an era of sophisticated cyber threats and growing public concern about election integrity, paper ballots provide the one thing no electronic system can: a physical, human-readable record that voters can see and verify with their own eyes.
Transparency
Paper ballots can be observed, recounted, and audited by nonpartisan monitors. They create a transparent chain of custody that electronic-only systems simply cannot match.
Security
Unlike electronic records, paper ballots cannot be altered remotely by hackers. They provide a resilient backup against cyber attacks and software malfunctions that could otherwise compromise election results.
Verifiability
Voter-verified paper audit trails let each citizen confirm their ballot was marked correctly. Risk-limiting audits use these paper records to statistically confirm election outcomes.
Key Issues
The Fight for Election Integrity
From paper ballot advocacy to cybersecurity, these are the critical issues shaping the future of American elections.
Electronic Voting Risks
Electronic-only voting systems are vulnerable to software bugs, hacking, and manipulation without any physical evidence trail for verification.
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Voter Verification
Every voter has the right to verify that their ballot was recorded accurately. Paper trails make individual vote verification possible.
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Audit Trails
Robust audit trails allow election results to be independently verified, recounted, and validated long after polls close.
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Accessibility
Modern voting systems must be accessible to all voters, including those with disabilities, while maintaining paper-trail security.
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State-by-State Status
Voting systems vary dramatically across states. See where your state stands on paper ballots, audit requirements, and voter verification.
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By the Numbers
The State of Voting in America
Significant progress has been made, but the work of securing elections with verifiable paper trails continues.
Paper Trail Coverage
Approximately 95% of U.S. voters now use systems that produce a paper record, up from under 50% in 2006.
States Impacted
Election security is a nationwide concern. Every state has unique voting infrastructure and audit requirements.
Hand-Marked Ballots
The majority of American voters cast hand-marked paper ballots that are then optically scanned for counting.
HAVA Enacted
The Help America Vote Act established federal election standards and funded modernization of voting equipment.
Timeline
A History of Voting Technology
The evolution of how Americans cast and count their votes reflects an ongoing struggle between convenience and security.
- 1892
Lever Machines Introduced
Mechanical lever voting machines first used in Lockport, New York, replacing paper ballots in many jurisdictions.
- 1960s
Punch Card Systems
Punch card voting systems gained widespread adoption, later becoming infamous during the 2000 Florida recount.
- 2000
The Florida Recount
The Bush v. Gore election exposed critical flaws in punch card systems and sparked national debate on voting technology.
- 2002
HAVA Signed Into Law
The Help America Vote Act allocated $3.9 billion to modernize voting equipment and established the EAC.
- 2004
Paper or Plastic Campaign
The EFF and voting rights groups campaigned for paper ballot requirements in California and across the nation.
- 2006-2010
DRE Machines Questioned
Security researchers demonstrated vulnerabilities in Direct Recording Electronic machines, building the case for paper trails.
- 2016-2020
Election Security Renaissance
Heightened concerns about election interference drove massive investment in paper ballots, audits, and cybersecurity.
- 2020s
Risk-Limiting Audits Expand
More states adopt risk-limiting audits and paper ballot requirements, bringing unprecedented transparency to elections.
Take Action
Protect Your Right to a Verified Vote
Democracy depends on voters like you. Learn about the voting systems in your state, advocate for paper ballots, and help ensure that every election is transparent, secure, and verifiable.