The announcement comes a week after he said flawed electronic voting machines could be fixed and approved for use next year if state lawmakers passed bills to streamline the regulatory process.

"I have more confidence in having votes cast on paper ballots at the polls rather than relying exclusively on electronic voting machines or in voting by mail," Coffman said in a press release.
Voting integrity activist Claudia Kuhns, who supports paper voting, said she was surprised by Coffman's announcement because it indicates that he's changed his mind on the issue.
"I don't know if he's getting pressure from somewhere or what," she said. "Regardless, I still think it's really good."
"I think it's a huge step in the right direction."
The announcement doesn't help Coffman's tense relationship with county clerks, many of whom want to continue using electronic voting equipment.
"Depending on which way the wind blows he's changing his mind," said Mesa County Clerk Janice Rich. "That still doesn't give the counties any answers.
"There's too many 'what ifs' out there."
Coffman announced Dec. 17 that thousands of electronic voting machines used in all but 12 counties could not be used in 2008 statewide elections because of security and accuracy flaws. Coffman's office conducted a yearlong review of all electronic voting systems used in the state because of a court order from a lawsuit brought by voters who claim the equipment is unreliable.
Coffman decertified all equipment made by one company, Election Systems & Software, which supplies machines to Jefferson and Mesa counties. He conditionally approved all equipment made by Premier Election Solutions, formerly Diebold. Some machines made by Hart InterCivic and Sequoia Voting Systems were decertified.
Because of the certification problems, many county clerks are pushing lawmakers to pass legislation to allow mail-only elections next year.
Coffman has opposed mail-only elections, saying they are prone to voter intimidation. He gave another reason today.
"Today, voters in general elections have the ability to either vote by absentee ballot or in person at a polling place. I think these choices ought to be preserved," Coffman said in the release.
Paper or mail voting still requires some use electronic voting machines. Coffman said lawmakers must pass bills in the next session so that election officials can use the machines next November.

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