This Election Day, Survey Reveals Cyber Experts Across the Aisle Believe In Paper Ballots, Same-Day Voting

As Americans cast their votes in one of the most closely watched elections yet, cybersecurity experts are voicing an unexpected agreement across party lines.

The consensus?

It might be time to ditch the complexities of digital voting and return to the basics: paper ballots, counted on the same day.

Same-day voting involves casting and counting all ballots on Election Day to reduce risks, while paper ballots are physical voting records that provide a secure, auditable backup for verifying election results.

Despite all our technological advances, the experts believe that the simplest solution might be the safest way to protect our democracy.

Cyber Pros Are Seeing the Risks, Together

Cybersecurity professionals—whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent—are well aware of the many vulnerabilities in today’s voting systems. From voter registration databases to ballot scanners, every layer of digital infrastructure carries a risk. And even if systems aren’t directly connected to the internet, they can still be exploited through insider threats, data breaches, or weak security measures.

In a rare show of unity, experts across the political spectrum agree that the safest way forward may be to simplify. The Brennan Center for Justice puts it plainly: “Experts widely recognize paper ballots as one of the most important security measures that states can adopt.” A physical paper trail offers a layer of security that no digital solution can fully match.

Recent surveys back this up: over 70% of cybersecurity experts advocate for simpler, more transparent voting methods. Same-day voting and paper ballots, they say, create fewer opportunities for interference, confusion, and manipulation.

The Current Reality: Complex Systems, Higher Risks

Voting systems across the U.S. are a patchwork, varying by state and even county. In general, they fall into three categories:

• Paper Ballots: In some places, voters mark a paper ballot, which is then scanned to create a record. It’s straightforward, reliable, and easy to audit.
• Ballot Marking Devices (Hybrid): In some areas, voters select their choices on a touchscreen, which then prints a paper ballot. This has obvious vulnerabilities as the underlying software could be susceptible to tampering or malfunction, after the printout.
• Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Systems: Some places still rely on fully electronic voting with no paper trail. This seems to be a clear recipe for disaster.

There’s been a strong push in recent years for systems that produce a paper record. Why? Because a tangible ballot allows for independent verification, boosts transparency, and makes recounts more trustworthy.

The Case for Same-Day Voting and Counting

To cybersecurity experts, same-day voting and counting just makes sense. Voting on paper ballots, cast and counted on Election Day, minimizes the time ballots are exposed to potential risks. There’s no delay, no storage period where ballots could be tampered with, and no uncertainty about where votes are held.

Paper ballots provide a physical, verifiable backup that digital systems just can’t replicate. If something goes wrong, there’s a simple, clear record of each vote. It’s a no-nonsense approach that reduces risk and increases transparency—a win-win for everyone who values secure elections.

The Big Question: Why Haven’t We Solved This?

Here’s the irony: the risks of digital voting have been clear for years. After the 2020 election, digital vulnerabilities sparked serious national concern, and yet, here we are in 2024, with many of the same issues still present. Experts find this baffling—and frustrating. “It’s almost strange how little has been done,” says one cybersecurity analyst. “Paper ballots and same-day counting are simple solutions, but they’re still not widely embraced.”

The lack of action has left us with a fragile system. If today’s results are contested, the complexities of digital voting could add fuel to the fire, creating room for disputes and distrust.

They Are Doing All They Can to Instill Confidence: CISA’s “Rumor vs. Reality”

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is pulling out all the stops to instill confidence in the election process with its “Rumor vs. Reality” initiative. This program tackles misinformation head-on, providing clear, factual answers to common election myths. From mail-in ballots to voting machines, “Rumor vs. Reality” aims to keep voters accurately informed and reassure the public about the security and integrity of our elections.

Bottom Line: Simpler Is Stronger

In today’s world of sophisticated cyber threats, sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. Cybersecurity experts who work to protect critical systems every day know this well. Returning to paper ballots and same-day counting may be the ultimate power move for securing democracy, a way to restore trust by keeping things clear, auditable, and resilient.

For practical, straightforward solutions like this, contact us at Cyber Defense Advisors. We cut through the red tape to make security—and how you manage it—both simple and strong.

Contact us today and take the first step toward a more secure future.