Opposition to ExpressVote XL
The ES&S ExpressVote XL is an all-in-one touchscreen voting machine that eliminates the use of hand marked paper ballots. threatens vote integrity.
Key Concerns:
- Replaces hand-marked ballots with summary cards
- Voters can’t verify barcodes reflect their choices
- Longer lines and suppressed turnout due to machine complexity
- Long lines can pressure voters to hurry, are most are unlikely to review the summary card.
- Requires 1 machine per 500 voters (vs. 1 BMD per 4,000) → higher costs
- More machines = more storage space needed →higher costs
- Twice the cost per machine as other Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs) with optical scanners.
- $34M proposed in Suffolk County for 2,750 machines
- Reported machine failures in PA, NJ, TX
To Date, 5 New York State Counties have been solicited to purchase these machines and they are moving forward with their implementation despite lawsuits from several non-profit organizations and a recent federal election integrity order.
These New York counties are moving forward with plans to use the Express XL touchscreen machine.
- Monroe County Has Purchased 1,000 Machines for $12,000,000 and are planning to use the machines during the 2025 and 2027 primary elections.
- Suffolk County has Purchased 2,750 Machines for $34,000,000
- Erie and Orange Counties Have Purchased Some Machines on a Trial Basis
Citizens counter machine company sales pitches with facts in an effort to have Suffolk County investigate options instead of rushing to allocate $34 million to purchase these controversial machines.
Citizens are urging local governments to pause purchases and consider secure alternatives.
"Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," signed on March 25, 2025, is available on the official White House website:
-
Executive Order: Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections
This executive order includes directives such as:
- Mandating that all ballots produce a voter-verifiable paper record.
- Prohibiting the use of voting systems that count votes using barcodes or QR codes.
- Requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
- Stipulating that all ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted.
For an overview and summary of the executive order, you can refer to the accompanying fact sheet:
These documents provide the official details and rationale behind the executive order's provisions.