New Tulsa County Voting Machines Should Speed Up Process

The Tulsa County Election Board will have a trial run of its new voting machines next week. The new technology will allow faster processing of precinct totals while retaining the accuracy of the old, according to Election Board Secretary Patty Bryant.

The new machines will also make it easier for some disabled voters to cast their ballots.

The new system replaces machines that are now 20 years old.

"They've been very accurate, but we can't find replacement parts," Bryant said. "When they break, they're dead."

Most voters will not see a difference at the polls. You will still mark your choices on a paper ballot which is then tallied by a machine.

"The people on the other side – the election board and precinct officials – will see an increased speed in the tabulation," she said. "We have 262 precincts, and this takes the time down from minutes to seconds.

"We're just moving into the next century," she said.

Voters will notice a difference in how fast the results are tallied.

The election board also purchased accessories that will make it easier for voters whose vision or hearing are impaired.  There is also an attachment for paralyzed voters.

Funding for the new voting system was provided through the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002, according to Oklahoma State Election Board secretary Paul Ziriax.

The Tulsa County Election Board is holding mock elections from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 9-12 where voters can come test the new machines.

The new system will get its first real test February 14, 2012, in some school and city elections. The 2012 presidential primary election is on March 6.