My method gives a physical assurance of what is counted. This is an essential feature - people can be sure of what is counted.

The main problem with old-fashioned paper ballots is that their counting is so "obvious" that is never appropriately specified. That gives opportunities for authority abuse, for example.

"Awkward" is relative. Compared with my method, a separate paper trail is an awkward addition. Besides, if paper trail is not verified, you don't know whether the numbers are correct.