North Dakota county officials are warning the state’s aging election system could be “unworkable” by the next presidential contest and are seeking state funding for new equipment. But legislators who are trying to fund state agencies and programs with significantly less tax revenue than they had just a few years ago are hesitant to meet the request. House Bill 1123, introduced at the request of the Secretary of State, would appropriate $9 million from the general fund to replace equipment such as ballot scanners across the state. House Bill 1122 would appropriate $3 million to place electronic poll books, which are currently used by only eight counties to check in voters, in every polling location in North Dakota.
Kevin Glatt, the Burleigh County auditor, said they’ve “meticulously maintained” the ballot scanners used at voting precincts, but they’re wearing out. The county is currently using scanners that were put into service in 2004.”I’m not certain I want to use them in 2018,” Glatt said, adding the county may go to a vote-by-mail system. “Elections are kind of like sending a rocket to the moon; it has to work critically and it has to work the first time.”
Glatt said Burleigh County has been fortunate to not have any significant breakdowns or malfunctions on Election Day.
But the House Appropriations Committee gave both bills a “do not pass” recommendation this week, said Rep. David Monson, R-Osnabrock. He cited a lack of available funds brought on by a downturn in farm and oil commodity prices.
Full Article: North Dakota election officials warn of equipment failures, seek state funding | Jamestown Sun.