State Sen. Frank LaRose, R-Hudson, has updated his legislation that would provide funding to replace Ohio’s aging voting equipment. Under LaRose’s proposal, counties will be given a fixed amount of funding based on the number of registered voters to help with the startup costs associated with buying new machines.
The funding breakdown would be:
• Counties with zero to 19,000 registered voters will be given a base amount of $205,000
• Counties with 20,000 to 99,999 registered voters will be given a base amount of $250,000
• Counties with 100,000-plus registered voters will be given $406,000
• Remaining funds will then be distributed on a per registered voter basis.
Of the $114.5 million allocation, $10 million would be general revenue funding reimbursement for counties that have already purchased new machines.
“We cannot allow Ohio’s future elections to be compromised due to failing voting machines,” said LaRose, who is running for Secretary of State. “This issue needs to be addressed now before major technical issues disrupt the integrity of our elections. Ohioans should be confident now and into the future that their vote will be cast on a secure and reliable voting machine.”
The County Commissioners Association of Ohio is supporting the legislation. Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy is serving as the association’s president this year.
Troy said LaRose has indicated that he wants the bill passed before the legislature breaks for the summer so that counties can begin going out and purchasing new equipment.
Full Article: Ohio bill providing election equipment funding updated.