Sacramento Bee (reg. req'd.): (h/t Nathan)

Seeking to address concerns over the integrity of elections, a House panel is weighing controversial legislation requiring states to bring back the paper ballot as the official record .

Many, if not most, states are expressing concerns that Congress is moving too fast with pending legislation that would take effect in time for the 2008 national presidential elections, with primary balloting beginning in January.

Only 17 states have voter systems that would be in compliance with the proposed law.

The legislation has divided advocacy groups. State elections officials are opposed to it. County officials don't like it.

Even among those who support the idea, including California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, the consensus is it will cost a lot more money than cash-strapped Congress may be prepared to spend.