Miriam Balmuth

Hearing at the Board of Elections

November 21, 2006

Thank you for holding this hearing, and for giving me the opportunity to speak.

I believe that protecting the election process and keeping it accurate are the greatest obligations that we, as a democracy, have. "One person, one vote" is the basis of our freedom.

The many problems that have occurred in the last few years where DREs are used should be a grave warning to us. Paper ballots and optical scanners give us the assurance that each voter's intent is clearly recorded in a permanent way.

I urge you to select paper ballots and optical scanners when we have to replace our lever voting machines.

Thank you.