States Brace for Election's Tech Snarls

As states prepare for millions of voters using new ballot systems in November, many officials are expecting serious logistical headaches across the country. About half of all voters will use different machines than the last presidential election. Most voters—up from 49% in 2006—will be using paper ballots that will be scanned as states drop problematic and controversial touch-screen equipment.

New machines and an unusually high expected voter turnout, combined with a shortage of experienced staff to man the polls on Election Day, could spell long lines and lost votes in many areas. “In previous elections, the question has been, ‘Will the system work for each voter?’ But this year the real question is whether the system can handle the load of all these voters," said one expert.