Some states and counties are moving quickly to buy paper-based machines and others are doing nothing at all. (George Frey | Getty Images)

In an examination of counties’ elections policies and technology, POLITICO found that electronic voting machines are often more effective at accommodating voters with disabilities but more vulnerable to malfunction and sabotage. A common solution, using primarily paper ballots but keeping electronic machines for voters to use on request, is controversial among some advocates because it seems like a form of “separate but equal” discrimination.