In 2006, 80 percent of voters will cast their ballots on electronic voting machines. As recent elections and tests show, these machines are still far from secure.

“All three of the most commonly purchased electronic systems have significant security and reliability vulnerabilities,” says a report by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU.

As Katrina notes today, e-voting machines are not the only obstacle facing voters on election day. But they remain a major one.

That’s why Senators Barbara Boxer, Chris Dodd and Russ Feingold introduced the “Confidence in Voting Act” to ensure that paper ballots are available at every polling place.

Governor Robert Ehrlich of Maryland, a Republican, last week endorsed the paper ballot alternative, concluding after the primaries that his state’s new $106 million electronic system wasn’t up to the test.

There are only two days left before Congress adjourns and members spend the rest of their time campaigning for re-election.

You can click here to urge Congress to take up the emergency legislation before it’s too late.