I would, however, like to request that paper ballots be given their just due by not being referred to as ‘‘receipts.” By calling them ‘‘receipts,” the public can be confused and the role and importance of these documents of record on how voters intended their votes be counted is diminished.

The public already knows what a ballot is; it requires no further explanation. Likewise the public already knows what a receipt is. By using the term receipt to refer to the ballot, the story conveys a confused and mixed message to the readers, leaving them less well informed.

Receipts are useless, as they have no legal weight. If the public is sold on this concept of receipts, they will be worse off than they are today.

Paper ballots, on the other hand, are legal documents that have standing in Maryland law.

It is only through use of the ballot that a reliable method of conducting elections, providing an audit mechanism and recount procedure can be achieved.

Ballots become the official document of record for how a voter intended their vote be counted, unlike a receipt, which is an unofficial record.

James C. Johnson III, Fort Washington