The alternatives could involve machines that would print ballots, which could then be marked, and a system for disabled people to cast votes by phone.

Robson Rotation is the method of printing multiple ballots for single transferable vote elections, with each having the candidates listed in a different order.

If electronic machines were to print ballots, the ballots could be counted the traditional way, and weighed against the electronic system totals.

"There is no need to print ballots in any language other than English," Mr. King said Wednesday.

The city's Board of Elections spent another $350,000 to print ballots, put machines in place and provide information to voters.

Los Angeles, which uses punch cards, has to print ballots in seven languages.

After this year's census, it will probably be required to print ballots in nine languages.

Critics argue the need for extra ballots in any language can be mitigated by providing a process to print ballots at voting locations.

The new requirements have caused problems across the country, particularly in areas that have had to print ballots in Asian and American Indian languages.

Several big cities are being required to print ballots in more languages.