Martin County approves first election-equipment package amid storage concerns

The Martin County Fiscal Court authorized the purchase of the first proposed election-equipment package — four DS200 scanners and six ExpressVote marking devices — totaling $56,935, the court confirmed after a presentation by the county clerk and the county’s election vendor.

County Clerk Susie introduced election vendor Craig Lynn, who explained that House Bill 1, passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2022, set aside funds that permit counties to purchase voting equipment with full reimbursement if an invoice and canceled check are submitted to the designated agency. "Once that purchase is made, the invoice is submitted to DOJ along with the canceled check, the fiscal court gets reimbursed fully 100%," Lynn said during his presentation. Lynn described three vendor packages: $56,935 (4 DS200 scanners + 6 ExpressVote devices), $322,000 (larger scanner and express-vote combination) and $80,400 (intermediate option).

Susie (the county clerk) told the court she recommended the smaller package because the county does not have secure, climate-controlled storage for larger quantities of equipment. "I have no storage," she said, explaining that election machines, printers, ePoll books and accessories currently occupy what was intended to be her conference room and that statutory handling and security rules limit access. Lynn noted statutory handling requirements and storage protocols, including that equipment and scanned ballot tubs must be secured and that chain-of-custody and post-election retention rules apply.

The court discussed logistics and timing: Lynn said reimbursements typically take about 45 days, and the state funding window for the allocated funds runs through June 30 of the current fiscal year. Members agreed it was preferable to accept the smaller package rather than return state funds; several magistrates asked whether the court could approve the first package and later convene a special meeting to consider purchase of additional equipment if suitable storage is found. The court voted and the motion carried.

According to clerk remarks during the meeting, the county currently has six public-works employees in the road department (a comment offered earlier in the meeting when thanking road crews) and must also ensure secure storage locations satisfy statutory limitations on access and the 30-day sealed period that follows equipment return and post-election procedures. The clerk and vendor said ballots that drop into secure ballot tubs after scanning must be sealed and retained under statute for 22 months.

Next steps: The county clerk will complete and sign the proposed agreement for the chosen equipment package and the court may call a special meeting before Feb. 9 if a secure storage location is found and the court chooses to expand purchases while the state funds remain available.