July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
New voting system here (9/14/04)
Public can get hands-on 'test drive'
The chance to try out Jay County’s new voting system is here.
Jay County clerk Jane Ann Runyon said Monday members of the public can try out the new video display, push-button system anytime during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) now through Monday, Nov. 1.
The new machines, from MicroVote General Corp., will replace the punch card ballots that have been used locally for many years. Federal voting reforms effectively banned the ballots after this year’s election, but Runyon and Jay County Commissioners decided to switch systems now. The $218,000 cost of the system is expected to be paid for by federal money passed through the state of Indiana.
Members of the public who would like to test the new equipment should ask an employee of the clerk’s office for assistance. The new voting machine is set up just outside the clerk’s office.
Runyon said this morning she is hoping a large number of voters test out the new machine “just so they’re not afraid of it. So they’re more comfortable. They can see that it’s not going to be nearly as difficult as some people perceive it to be.”
Runyon said she also will be available over the next few months to speak to area groups and demonstrate the new election system.
Also Monday, Runyon announced that applications for absentee voting by mail or by the confined voting board are now being accepted. The first day to vote absentee in the courthouse will be Monday, Oct. 4 (8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.). Courthouse absentee voting will continue through Monday, Nov. 1. Runyon also said the last day to register as a new voter or to change a name or address for the Nov. 2 election is Monday, Oct. 4.
The switch to a new voting system, along with the liberalization of absentee voting rules and the fact this is a presidential election year, could cause an increase in absentee voting this year, said Runyon.
“We’re going to have more absentees anyway because it’s presidential (election). I’ve got probably 100 applications right now for mail outs and confined. I think there’ll be people who decide to vote absentee instead of using the new machine,” Runyon said.
Those who vote absentee — either in the courthouse, by a mailed ballot or through the confined board — won’t use the new system. Absentee voters will use a card ballot which will be filled in with a pencil.[[In-content Ad]]
Jay County clerk Jane Ann Runyon said Monday members of the public can try out the new video display, push-button system anytime during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) now through Monday, Nov. 1.
The new machines, from MicroVote General Corp., will replace the punch card ballots that have been used locally for many years. Federal voting reforms effectively banned the ballots after this year’s election, but Runyon and Jay County Commissioners decided to switch systems now. The $218,000 cost of the system is expected to be paid for by federal money passed through the state of Indiana.
Members of the public who would like to test the new equipment should ask an employee of the clerk’s office for assistance. The new voting machine is set up just outside the clerk’s office.
Runyon said this morning she is hoping a large number of voters test out the new machine “just so they’re not afraid of it. So they’re more comfortable. They can see that it’s not going to be nearly as difficult as some people perceive it to be.”
Runyon said she also will be available over the next few months to speak to area groups and demonstrate the new election system.
Also Monday, Runyon announced that applications for absentee voting by mail or by the confined voting board are now being accepted. The first day to vote absentee in the courthouse will be Monday, Oct. 4 (8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.). Courthouse absentee voting will continue through Monday, Nov. 1. Runyon also said the last day to register as a new voter or to change a name or address for the Nov. 2 election is Monday, Oct. 4.
The switch to a new voting system, along with the liberalization of absentee voting rules and the fact this is a presidential election year, could cause an increase in absentee voting this year, said Runyon.
“We’re going to have more absentees anyway because it’s presidential (election). I’ve got probably 100 applications right now for mail outs and confined. I think there’ll be people who decide to vote absentee instead of using the new machine,” Runyon said.
Those who vote absentee — either in the courthouse, by a mailed ballot or through the confined board — won’t use the new system. Absentee voters will use a card ballot which will be filled in with a pencil.[[In-content Ad]]
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