Commission Ponders Election Changes

New Precinct-Level Voting Machines Debated

— Benton County’s Election Commission is still considering changes in how the county will hold future elections, but there is no decision in sight.

Commissioners have discussed expanding early voting, splitting some larger precincts and finding new, larger polling places in several precincts. The commission also has considered exercising more control over the physical layout of polling places to minimize confusion and delays in voting. Voters in several locations in Benton County complained about long lines and lengthy waiting times during the November general election.

“I think, because of the experience in 2012, early voting is going to pick up.” Commissioner Robbyn Tumey said during the commission’s Wednesday meeting.

The prospect of seeking new precinct-level vote-counting machines was discussed Wednesday. A reported technical problem prompted the commission to put those plans on hold. The commission had discussed buying machines that would count paper ballots at each precinct rather than having ballots brought to a central location for counting.

Kim Dennison, election coordinator, said she has been told the precinct counters can only be programmed to handle a limited number of different ballot styles in a single precinct and wouldn’t accommodate Benton County’s large number of different ballot faces.

John Brown Jr., commission chairman, said the commission will need more information before making any decision on those machines.

Brown also discounted the likelihood of the county buying more Ivotronic vote counting machines. He said the machines are no longer being made and he doesn’t think buying used vote machines is a worthwhile option.

“I can’t see spending $2,000 apiece for a used piece of equipment,” Brown said.

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