Public invited to try out new election equipment

Posted 4/6/23

Wood County’s voting equipment was purchased in December 2013 and has reached its life expectancy timeline, according to county elections administrator Laura Wise.

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Public invited to try out new election equipment

Posted

Wood County’s voting equipment was purchased in December 2013 and has reached its life expectancy timeline, according to county elections administrator Laura Wise.

The system can no longer be used after Sept. 1, 2026  per new state law (SB 598).

The county will be required to purchase a new auditable voting system that has a paper audit trail, and Wise said it is time for Wood County to make plans for a new system.

The elections office will be hosting a demonstration April 12-13 in the early voting room, 200 W. Bermuda St. in Quitman.

Two representatives from Hart InterCivic will be here to demonstrate the equipment and to answer any questions. They will have the hand marked paper ballot system and the machine marked system that prints the ballot, after it is marked on the machine, to allow voters to review the ballot then place in a ballot counter.

Participants will be able to use the equipment and test it out.

Wednesday, April 12 from 8 a.m.-noon is set aside for the county judge and commissioners.

April 12 from 1-5 p.m. is for election judges and clerks and city and school personnel.

Thursday, April 13 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. is open to the public.

There will be a short exit survey for input and opinions. These will be read and given to commissioners to review during summer budget hearings.

“Please make a point to come by and give us some feedback,” Wise said. “We are asking for all of you to help make the right choice for our county. This is a huge purchase and change for the county and we want to make sure we get it right.”