New voting machines will be used

Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Pictured from left Scott County election judges Jean Whitaker and Marie Williams receive instructions from Bev Riley, deputy county clerk.

BENTON -- Scott County voters will use some new voting equipment Tuesday.

All 22 precincts in Scott County will have a new Optical Scan Vote Tabulator for the general election Tuesday bringing the county into compliance with the Help America Vote Act's "second chance voting" requirement.

Voters will cast their ballot in the same way as in the past except they will be drawing a line instead of filling an oval, according to County Clerk Rita Milam.

"I researched my options for meeting the state and federal guidelines before purchasing the equipment," Milam said. "I wanted to keep the process of voting as easy as possible without any major changes."

The tabulators were purchased for $115,000 using federal grant funds.

Voters of the Salcedo Precinct will vote at the Davis Precinct which is located in the Trinity Gospel Church on Davis Blvd. in Sikeston.

"More precincts may be combined throughout the county for future elections," Milam said.

The county clerk's office will be open from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday for absentee voters.

For more information, contact Milam at her office in the Scott County Courthouse or call 573-545-3549.

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