The study of more than 800 Maryland voters who used five types of machines found that "while a paper trail or some other verification device may sound good in the abstract, it may cause serious problems in the real world of voters and elections," according to Paul S. Herrnson of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship.

Legislation to require Maryland's voting systems to produce a paper record is working its way through the House. Advocates say documentation is critical to voter confidence in elections.

Linda Schade , executive director of TrueVoteMD, said the study was flawed because it did not consider an optical scan system that uses a paper ballot. "Voters in Maryland are tired of voting on an insecure system," she said.

Elections Official Accused of Bias

Senate Republicans yesterday accused an official at the nonpartisan State Board of Elections of violating his pledge of impartiality by helping Democrats pass legislation to allow early voting in November.

At a hearing on election bills, senators produced an e-mail from the top aide to the Democratic Senate president asking the deputy administrator of the elections board for advice on how to craft "a rebuttal" to the case for sustaining Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr .'s veto.

Sen. Andrew P. Harris (R-Baltimore County) said Republicans might ask the state prosecutor to investigate what he called "a gross violation of election law."

Ross Goldstein , the deputy administrator, said he routinely briefs the General Assembly and its staff when background information is requested. "I do so consistently, regardless of party," he said.

In an e-mail, Goldstein wrote that the "information is not a formal Board response or rebuttal" and that it was "information for you to use, but not to attribute" to the board. His advice contradicted the GOP-controlled election board's position on the issue. His e-mail offers a detailed case for early voting by rejecting a long list of arguments against it.

Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard) said it was not factual advice but a list of talking points that he called "unethical and improper."