Montgomery County is purchasing additional voting machines ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
The new equipment, which was approved Monday by the Board of Commissioners, is capable of handling recent changes in state elections law meant to speed up vote counting, clerk Karyn Douglas said.
Under the new law, counties can start processing early ballots 72 hours before Election Day instead of having to wait until the day of voting to open the ballot envelopes.
“It’s going to help all of these clerk’s offices immensely,” Douglas said.
The change was prompted by a surge in absentee voting for last year’s elections, delaying the final results in some counties including Montgomery. Though absentee ballots can be opened early, they cannot be tallied until Election Day.
Montgomery County averages about 2,000 mail-in ballots in an election, Douglas said. There were nearly 14,000 early votes cast in last November’s election.
Douglas received approval to purchase 13 new machines at a total cost of $41,200, including installation and testing.
The county plans going back to having five early voting centers in next year’s elections unless COVID restrictions are still in effect, Douglas said.
Among the offices on next year’s ballot are U.S. Senate, District 2 commissioner, the four county council districts and circuit court judge. Voters will elect school board members in the fall.
