I thought the machines were for speed.

Humans can't count every vote in one night unless it's a small precinct. Like, rural precincts where that not many people live.

We had something new here in Taxifornia for this election, thesis. For completed paper ballots, they had the voter insert them into a scanner, which then displayed their voting choices. The voter could reject the ballot and correct it if necessary. I find myself surprised to say it, but maybe Taxifornia came up with something right? (for a change... although I'm sure they stole the idea from another state with fewer socialists! ha!)