The Vote...A Perfect Storm

A combination of sky high voter interest, new polling machines and a shortage of polling staff could combine into a "perfect storm" of complications on election day.

The Independent Pew organization group set out a long string of problems still facing the US in spite of reforms aimed at avoiding a repeat of the 2000 and 2004 debacles.

The launch of the 77-page report at a Washington press conference came against a background of legal clashes over voter registration and hours-long queues already forming outside booths set up for early voting in states across the US. Early voting is now under way in 46 of the 50 states.

New voters are registering in record numbers in almost every state.

Thousands of lawyers are being recruited by Obama and John McCain to police the polling booths, offering advice to supporters denied the vote or to challenge the eligibility of rivals.

Scott Drake talks with Kim Brace, president of Election Data Services an election consultant firm.