The new machines list candidates on a video screen. Voters make their choice by touching a box located to the left of the candidate's name. When a person touches a box an x appears. If a person is allowed to vote for only one candidate in a particular category, the machine will not register another x in a different box, eliminating double voting.

Election officials are hoping this new technology will cut down on mistakes and make it easier for them to tabulate results. Also, voters will have the ability to go back and correct a mistake.

Robin Downs of the Prince George's County Board of Elections said, "We call it, as election officials, second-chance voting that after you've chosen the candidates that you like, there's a confirmation page."

Downs said if you're not sure that your choice is what you really want, you'll be able to ease back through the pages and choose the correct candidate.

On April 2, the machines will be used initially during a municipal election in Bowie, Md.

The machines will also be used in Allegheny and Dorchester counties. Officials hope they will be used statewide by 2006.