The Evolution of a Digital Democracy

From paper to PC, the machinery of democracy has changed through the years.

1888: Uniform ballot

Massachusetts becomes the first state to adopt a uniform ballot.

1930: Lever voting

Lever voting machines are used in nearly all major U.S. cities.

1964: Punch-cards

Punch-cards and computer tally machines debut in two Georgia counties.

1996: Direct recording electronic systems

More than 7 percent of U.S. voters use direct recording electronic systems to capture votes digitally.

2011: iPads

Oregon becomes the first to use iPads for touch-screen voting.

2014 Voting software

Clemson University develops voting software that users can download to a smartphone or tablet.