How many voting machines does Monroe County really need? If the county decided to scan paper ballots at a central location, such as at the Justice Building, after 2012 elections, it wouldn’t matter whether the county commissioners purchase enough machines for 81 precincts or 20-some vote centers.
The county could consider buying just one high-speed digital ballot scanner, similar to the one it used in the May 2011 primary elections. Even if all 94,164 registered voters in the county show up to vote, results would be delayed only by a few hours over having a scanner at each polling place, and the county would save money.
County officials are waiting for an election board decision on whether to continue with precinct polling or switch to vote centers before a likely contract with Hart Intercivic for the purchase of ballot scanners and other voting equipment.
The 2010 U.S. Census results indicate that the county will likely jump from 67 to 81 voting precincts for the 2012 elections, although precinct polling places are often combined. The county might need 60 to 65 polling places in 2012 for precinct voting, said county commissioner Mark Stoops. If the county switches to vote centers, any registered Monroe County voter could vote at any county polling place.
Full Article: Individual.com.