Voting safeguards

Changes in the way Americans live has led U.S. election officials to propose changes in the way we vote, replacing precincts with large vote centers where ballots could be cast over weeks instead of on a single day.

Call it the superstore of voting.

Colorado introduced universal vote centers two years ago in a limited way. The centers are supposed to help take the confusion out of whether and when and how to vote.

Some 30 states currently allow absentee votes to be cast by anyone who wants to. Some locales allow votes to be cast a month before Election Day.

One of the proposals would allow states to share voter registration information to prevent fraud.

Fraud is one of the primary concerns as the nation's voting procedures evolve in this brave new electronic world. Whatever voting changes are made it is paramount that the people's trust in the outcome of the process is safeguarded.