Fla. judge requires manual recounts

• A state judge threw out a Florida Division of Elections rule barring the 15 counties that use touch-screen voting systems from conducting recounts by hand.

In a decision that could require the state to provide a paper trail of votes on touch-screen machines, a judge on Friday threw out a state rule that prohibits manual recounts in counties using the ATM-style equipment.The immediate effect of the ruling and its impact on Tuesday's primary election was unclear Friday night. But the groups that brought the lawsuit against Secretary of State Glenda Hood said the ruling means some sort of paper backup on electronic voting is required. ''The law is clear; the law requires a manual recount,'' said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. ``Which one of those words does the state not understand? This judge should be applauded for standing up for the law.'' [more ] and [more ]