Since 2004, we have been dedicated to the principle that every vote deserves a verifiable paper trail. Our mission is to educate citizens, advocate for transparent voting systems, and protect the integrity of American elections.
Paper or Plastic was born out of the 2004 movement for voting rights in California, when the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other civil liberties organizations championed the cause of paper ballot requirements in the face of rapidly expanding electronic voting systems.
The question "paper or plastic?" was reframed from a mundane grocery store choice into a fundamental democratic question: should your vote exist as a tangible, verifiable paper record, or as invisible electronic data that you can never personally verify?
Two decades later, that question is more relevant than ever. While tremendous progress has been made -- with the vast majority of American voters now using systems that produce a paper record -- the work of securing elections is never finished. New technologies bring new challenges, and vigilance is the price of trustworthy democracy.
We provide clear, nonpartisan information about voting technology, election security, and what citizens can do to protect their right to a verified vote. Our state-by-state guide helps voters understand the systems used in their jurisdiction.
We advocate for legislation at the state and federal level that requires voter-verified paper ballots for all elections. We work to ensure that paper ballot requirements are accompanied by strong audit procedures like risk-limiting audits.
We track developments in election security, synthesize research from leading academics and security experts, and make complex technical issues accessible to the general public. Our election security overview provides a comprehensive picture of threats and defenses.
Election integrity is not a partisan issue. Every citizen, regardless of party affiliation, deserves confidence that their vote was accurately counted. We work with and for all Americans.
Our positions are grounded in scientific research and expert consensus. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, official government reports, and the work of recognized election security organizations.
We practice what we preach. Our information sources are cited, our positions are clearly stated, and we welcome scrutiny and correction. Transparency in elections starts with transparency in advocacy.
We believe that secure voting must also be accessible voting. Paper ballot systems must accommodate voters with disabilities, language barriers, and other needs without compromising security.
Paper or Plastic began in 2004 as part of a broad coalition effort led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to advocate for paper ballot requirements in California. At the time, counties across the state were rapidly adopting Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines that produced no paper trail, and voters had no way to verify their ballots.
The campaign was a success. California implemented some of the nation's strongest paper trail requirements, and the movement spread to other states. The "paper or plastic" framing resonated with voters and policymakers alike, making the abstract issue of voting technology tangible and urgent.
Today, we continue that work in a transformed landscape. The vast majority of American voters now use systems with a paper record, but challenges remain: ensuring paper records are actually used for meaningful audits, protecting against new cybersecurity threats, and maintaining public confidence in an era of widespread disinformation about elections.
Our commitment remains unchanged: every vote deserves a paper trail, and every citizen deserves to know that their voice was heard and accurately counted.
Have questions about election integrity or want to get involved in paper ballot advocacy? We would love to hear from you.