By DAVE SCHULTZ
The vote panels that Wells County voters have used to cast their ballots for two decades need to be replaced, and members of the County Council got a look at potential replacements Tuesday evening.
County Clerk Beth Davis, accompanied by a representative of the MicroVote General Corp., showed the council members what is needed. They understand the need, but they were looking to soften the financial blow — $201,000 for 72 panels.
That number of panels is down from the current number of 76. The move away from precinct-based voting to vote centers means four fewer vote panels would be needed, Davis said.
The cost is $2,800 per panels.
Seth Whicker, president of the council, asked if the machines could be cycled in — perhaps 10 this year, 10 more next year, and so forth. The problem with that is that there would be some machines using one system and the rest using another.
And while it’s not an emergency, Davis said, the current panels “are starting to show their age.”
MicroVote, based in Indianapolis, is willing to allow the county to purchase the new panels all at one time and pay half of the cost one year and half the next year. There would be no interest attached to the delayed payment.
The amount will be written into the clerk’s 2024 budget and discussed during this summer’s budget review sessions.
daves@news-banner.com
