Embassy Sponsors DVC on E-Voting Technologies
On May 27, the Embassy facilitated a digital video conference (DVC) with Member of the Board of Advisors of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Dr. Barbara Simons, with the Bahraini Legal Affairs Directorate. The discussion focused on electronic voting systems and the latest trends in computer-based voting technologies. Dr. Simons also answered specific questions posed by staff on the security of voting machines, contingency plans in case of possible computer failure of the machines or network, and training on e-voting machines and their software.
During the DVC, Dr. Simons shared her expertise on the advantages and disadvantages of hand-marked ballots, paperless voting machines, optical scan machines, and other systems. She also discussed the Help America Vote Act in 2002 which provided funding for purchase of e-voting machines for elections in the United States. Lastly, she provided information on recent studies in the United States regarding the security of e-voting systems.