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DEMOCRATIC elections are supposed to be decided by the will of the people. That principle was called into question by the 2000 election for the president of the United States of America, which was famously determined by just 537 votes in Florida and one Supreme Court decision. Next month, it may be under scrutiny again, as another close presidential election could be decided by the accuracy of a raft of new voting technologies.

Across the US on 2 November, while some voters register their intent using traditional paper ballots, punched cards and lever machines, others will be using less tried-and-tested…

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