Rep. Lemmons, Jr., offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 39.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to prohibit paperless ballots.
Whereas, Public trust in the integrity of the elections process is essential to democracy. People must know that their vote counts and that the results of each election are a direct and precise reflection of the actions taken by the voters. Any doubts in the validity of elections results erode the strength of our system of self-government; and
Whereas, In the wake of well-publicized situations regarding recent elections, especially the recounting process that surrounded the 2000 presidential election and the results in Florida, renewed efforts to examine voting procedures have taken place. Several locations across the country have pursued various new computer technologies; and
Whereas, In the urgency to improve the elections process, it is imperative to make sure that reliable recounts are always possible. Ultimately, the only reliable means of assuring this is through paper tallies that can be stored and available to be counted. To best protect the integrity of elections, the means of conducting a recount must be independent of the system through which the vote was cast in the first place. Every step must be taken to prevent election results from being compromised by computer technology; and
Whereas, Many observers and organizations, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology, feel that paperless electronic voting machines cannot be made fully secure; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to prohibit paperless ballots; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.