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Two new electronic voting machines, both with paper print outs, were on display at the state capitol today. The machines have yet to be certified, but even if they are, they are likely only going to be used for early voting in large counties and for the disabled. Florida’s new Secretary of State, Kurt Browning, says he is committed to making sure lawmakers approve 32 million dollars to replace electronic machines with optical scan machines in 15 counties. Browning also says if not for the debacle in Sarasota’s congressional race where 18 thousand votes were unaccounted for, the conversation would be different.

“They’re defining events… and yes, it was almost the catalyst that just pushed us further down that continuum that said ‘you know what? We need to give serious thought to this.’ I think if Sarasota County had not happened, I’m not certain that we’d be sitting here today with the legislature saying we need to change voting systems throughout Florida in those 15 counties.” says the Secretary of State.

While Browning was a big supporter of electronic machines while he was the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, he says public perception makes them obsolete, even if… as he believes… they work fine.