New voting machines expected active by primary

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April 12, 2006

By SAMANTHA PERRY and CHARLES OWENS The Bluefield Daily Telegraph Wed Apr 12, 2006, 08:35 PM EDT

BLUEFIELD — Electronic voting machines are expected to be and up running for the May primary, but early voters in Mercer and McDowell counties will still be using paper ballots, officials said.

“We’ll be using paper ballots on early voting,” due to a delay in getting the machines “coded” by the manufacturer, Mercer County Clerk Rudolph Jennings said.

“The manufacturer of the machines has not provided us with the information we need to be able to have all the machines checked before the election,” Jennings said.

Jennings said they expect to have the machines ready next week, but since early voting begins Wednesday, April 19, the decision was made to use paper ballots as a safeguard.

“We’re going to see that the people get to vote, and that their votes are counted no matter which way we have to go,” Jennings said.

When absentee balloting begins next week in McDowell County, officials also will be using paper ballots as opposed to the new computerized voting machines.

“McDowell is in the same spot as several counties across the state,” County Clerk Don Hicks said. “But we are ready for early voting. The early voting will proceed with optical scan ballots — the same way we did it last year. McDowell County is ready to roll on the early voting.”

Hicks said officials are still awaiting on the arrival of the flash cards and personal electronic ballots needed to test the new electronic voting machines.

“Another thing a lot of people are confused about is they think they have to use these (new) machines when they come in,” Hicks said. “In McDowell County, every voter can vote the same way they did last year. I don’t want anybody to be discouraged in going out to vote by thinking they have to vote on these machines. The machines will be there just as an alternative.”

There has been a positive reaction from Mercer County residents to the new electronic voting machines during exhibitions across the area, Jennings said.

“At all the meetings I’ve gone to and demonstrations I’ve had, we have had a pretty good response and the people are very satisfied with the machines,” Jennings said. “It’s not too difficult to use.”

Jennings said two electronic voting machines are currently on display in the voter registration office at the Mercer County Courthouse.

“Anybody that comes in and wants to see how to use the machines, one of the employees will show them how to use it,” he said.

The Mercer County Voter Registration Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Deadline to register for the May Primary Election is Tuesday, April 18.

With several contested races in McDowell County on May 9, Hicks said his office has already seen an increase in voter registration.

“I expect a good turnout,” Hicks said. “I really do. I expect good weather and a good turnout.”

Hicks said the courthouse in Welch will be open on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate last minute voting.