County seeks urgent approval for election technology upgrade

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the opportunity to enhance voting technology through a grant application for electronic poll books and DS 200 voting machines. The proposal, which aims to improve election efficiency, comes with a significant financial backing from the state, covering 85% of the costs associated with the electronic poll books and 50% for the DS 200 machines.

The initial plan was to acquire 10 DS 200 machines for the largest precincts; however, officials have since decided to pursue a more equitable approach by seeking to equip all precincts uniformly. A quote received indicates that acquiring 25 DS 200 machines would cost approximately $180,500, with the county's share amounting to $90,250 after the state match. Additionally, the plan includes purchasing 50 electronic poll books at a total cost of $114,082, resulting in a county obligation of $17,172.

The urgency of the proposal was emphasized, as the application must be submitted by July 26. Officials expressed optimism that the new equipment could be operational in time for the upcoming November election. Approval from the governing body is required before the grant application can be submitted, and a follow-up meeting is scheduled for July 23 to finalize budgetary considerations.