In response to intense criticism over the 2000 race -- when a recount dispute focusing Florida's "hanging chads" and inscrutable ballots was resolved by the Supreme Court -- election supervisors in 15 counties spent millions on touch-screen technology, which itself has come under fire.

The machines allow voters to cast their ballot by touching their choices on a video screen. But they provide no paper backup, a safety feature that critics say would help guard against fraud and bolster voter confidence.

Crist told a group of newspaper editors he would ask the state legislature for $20 million to switch to machines with a paper backup.