To the Editor:

Re “That Extra $250 Million to Protect the Elections? Just a Drop in the Bucket” (news article, Sept. 26):

There are in fact no new security provisions in the legislation Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, finally backed — just $250 million of pork to the voting equipment vendors (who are among Mr. McConnell’s donors), virtually certain to be spent on the latest iteration of “rig me” voting equipment, a.k.a. bar code ballot marking devices, no more secure than the equipment it would be replacing.

Indeed it is fortunate that the appropriation is so small and inadequate. Less damage will done. But to characterize Mr. McConnell as somehow caving to pressure and doing the right thing here is as inaccurate as it is naïve.

Jonathan D. Simon

Felton, Calif.

The writer is the author of “Code Red: Computerized Elections and the War on American Democracy.”

To the Editor:

Re “Now McConnell Backs Funding to Protect Vote” (news article, Sept. 20):

Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, has just allowed a bill to give states $ 250 million to improve election security. It probably won’t do much good.