This was pointed out convincingly last week by a task force assembled by state Attorney General Doug Gansler, who was appalled at the foul-ups and inefficiencies that plagued state elections in 2006, most noticeably during the primary election.

Mr. Gansler spoke about this last week at Evangel Cathedral in Prince George's County, where voters had to wait up to three hours to cast their ballots in the 2006 primary. He said this was unacceptable in America in the 21st century and that it reminded him of the days of literacy tests and poll taxes.

But there has been no deliberate attempt to muzzle Marylander voters. This is merely what happens when complex procedures have to be carried out not just by government - seldom a paragon of efficiency - but by disparate local government organizations relying on people who are, in effect, volunteers.

The task force presented 13 recommendations that can be implemented before the November election. (A second report with longer-term recommendations is due later this year.) Most of the ideas are just common sense.

One is, essentially, to pry away from local election boards the decision on how many voting machines to have - a decision some of these well-meaning panels botched in 2006.

Under the current system, the State Board of Elections makes recommendations but the local boards have the final say. Next time, the task force recommends, the local boards should have to announce three weeks before the election how many machines they'll have on hand, and give a written explanation if they are planning to have fewer than recommended by the state board.

The task force also said the local boards should set out emergency procedures if more machines turn out to be needed.

Other recommendations:

Pre-election sessions to allow voters to practice using the current electronic machines, and post-election hearings to air complaints.

Better organization of the machines at polling places to ensure voter privacy.

More of an effort to give voters advance information on complicated ballot items.

Better training of election officials and better communication with polling sites, in case voting hours are extended by court order.

Uniform procedures for handling provisional ballots.

In November, voters will be asked to decide a historic presidential contest and to determine whether legalized slot machines return to this state. A huge turnout is inevitable. Mr. Gansler and his task force deserve credit for trying to get the state's creaky election apparatus ready for this challenge. But the real question, of course, is whether the recommendations can be implemented in time.