WEST PALM BEACH , Florida ( CNN ) -- To pick up the morning paper and see the word `` recount '' in a headline stirs an ominous case of déjà vu . Judge Robert Rosenberg examines a ballot in Broward County , Florida , during the election recount in 2000 . At issue in recent days in Palm Beach County is a local judicial race that is hardly of national note . But problems with administering the local election , and statements from county officials that some critics call confusing , if not contradictory , have some worried about the coming presidential election . Polls showing a dead heat in the battle for Florida 's 27 electoral votes only add to the drama . `` Managerially , software-wise , procedure-wise , training-wise , there is no confidence that these people will be ready in less than 50 days for the election we are all going to have , '' said Sid Dinerstein , the Palm Beach County Republican chairman . `` Never again ! '' was the county 's promise after the butterfly ballots and hanging chads of the 2000 recount drama . For 2004 , the county switched to touch-screen machines . There were no major issues here . But some local Democrats , including Rep. Robert Wexler , demanded changes because they said the touch-screen system might be vulnerable to fraud and did not , in their view , provide a reliable audit trail . So the county switched again , to its third system in eight years , this time a paper ballot that is scanned by an optical reading device . The paper is then retained in case of recounts or other irregularities . Local officials say the system works and promise a smooth Election Day . But Dinerstein says the recount in the judicial race proves the folly of switching . `` We could have had nice , reliable computers counting and giving all of us an honest count , '' he said in an interview . The 2000 recount drama led to major changes -- more than 40 states made changes or adjustments to the way they conducted and administered elections . `` We have had more change in our election process since 2000 than we have seen since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 , '' said Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita , a recent past president of the national association of top state elections officials . Indiana alone spent some $ 67 million on new equipment , including a statewide voter file , and also requires a color photo ID on Election Day . Rokita takes issue with those who question the reliability of newer , high-tech systems . `` You know , we use technology in every one of our financial transactions and social transactions -- why did we not until 2000 put that type of technology to use when it comes to our most sacred civic transaction , you know , the voting process ? '' Rokita asked in an interview at his office in Indianapolis . `` The technology is just a tool . And what the conspiracy theorists want you to believe is the technology runs the election -- and nothing could be further from the truth , '' he said . `` If you have well-trained people who know how to use that technology and those tools , to know what to do if a battery dies on election day , all those things , then you will have a fair and an accurate election and the people are the ones who will produce that . And If they are not trained and they are not prepared , then you are not going to have a good election . But it is the people , not the machines . '' Indiana expects a record number of new voters this year , and Rokita is changing his usual advice as a result . In the past he has encouraged voting on Election Day , saying it builds community spirit and gives voters up to the last moment to ponder their choices . But this year , given the high interest in his state and nationwide , he suggests voters who are certain they will not change their minds help ease the burden -- and the potential for mistakes on Election Day -- by taking advantage of any early voting options in their states .
Palm Beach County , Florida , has changed voting systems twice in past eight years . County GOP chairman says ` ` no confidence '' vote will go off without warning . The recount drama in Florida led to changes in election procedures in 40 + states . Indiana governor says it 's people , not machines , that make elections run smoothly .