U.S. Investigates Voting Machines' Venezuela Ties - New York Times

The New York Times published this story over the weekend about the federal government's investigation of Sequoia Voting Systems' corporate ownership with links to the Venezuelan government.

This investigation illustrates why private corporate ownership of voting equipment is problematic. We shouldn't have to wonder if our election results could be influenced by corporate or foreign interests. The paper trail and public audit requirements in electronic systems are essential tools to bring greater transparency to the process, but in electronic voting systems there is so much software involved that the company producing the system maintains a large amount of control and influence over it, with or without the paper trail & audit requirements.