HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – When voters head to the polls today in Michigan they will find new technology and a fresh look to their voting experience in over eight counties including Ottawa.
Ottawa County is one of only three counties in Michigan that own all of the election equipment used by each of its local jurisdictions. Ottawa County also handles the equipment maintenance for its 111 precincts and is the second largest purchaser of election equipment in the state.
Hart’s Verity voting system was selected for purchase because it is secure, accurate and easy to use. Verity is the only system offered in Michigan that is federally certified for electronic transmission of election results and meets Michigan’s most stringent standards. Ballot programming and vote tabulation are never connected through the Internet and all devices are rigorously tested for accuracy prior to each election.
Voters at the precincts will continue to mark a paper ballot that appears largely the same as previous paper ballots. They will then insert their ballot into a new touch screen scanner and wait for the image of an American flag to appear, signifying that the ballot has been accepted. Those needing physical assistance may utilize the Verity Touch Writer, a new, portable touch-screen ballot marking device that includes an audio ballot reader and accommodates adaptive devices such as a sip-and-puff.
Voters in Kent, Newaygo, Mecosta, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, St. Joseph, Branch, and Van Buren counties will get to use the new machines, which feature touch screens in place of paper ballots. Allegan and Barry County will introduce new voting equipment next year.
The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. WHTC will provide complete coverage on air and online after the polls close.
