The manufacturer of the digital voting machines used across the state filed suit in Travis County district court this week, seeking to block the Texas secretary of state from certifying rival machine makers whose devices produce a paper receipt of votes cast. The lawsuit adds to the growing controversy surrounding the security of voting systems across the country — prompted, in part, by fears of potential hacking and by unsubstantiated claims by President Donald Trump that millions of illegal votes were cast in the 2016 election. The lawsuit filed by Hart InterCivic — the manufacturer of the eSlate voting machines used in Travis County — asks a district court judge to preemptively rule that voting machines that produce a paper record do not comply with state laws requiring the use of electronic voting machines for all countywide elections. The Texas secretary of state’s office declined to comment. Hart Intercivic’s attorney did not return calls from the American-Statesman.
According to the filing, the legal challenge comes in response to a letter that state Rep. Lyle Larson of San Antonio sent to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, inquiring about the legality of allowing the systems that use paper receipts.
… Larson isn’t alone in the push for voting machines that provide a paper trail for possible recounts. Travis County’s top elections official has eyed these machines.
“I’ve been pushing for a year to get a paper trail,” said Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir. “Maybe someone over there” — she added, referring to the Texas Legislature — “finally woke up.”
Full Article: Voting machine maker sues to block rivals’ paper-using devices.