What to expect while casting your vote
Voters in Oneida County, Ohio, will be able to see something new Tuesday when they go to the polls. The Oneida County Board of Elections claims that this measure is intended to improve the efficiency of the voting process.
The Oneida County Board of Legislators approved purchase of electronic poll books (also known as Poll Pads) and on-demand printers from St. Louis-based KNOWiNK in the latter part of 2021.
According to the statement, these electronic ballot books have been used in Oneida County early voting since 2019.
The election board believes the introduction of this equipment will improve efficiency and precision when checking in voters, monitoring poll locations, tracking how and wherever people are casting their ballots, and will allow for continuous updating poll books with voter information including absentee status.
“Switching to electronic poll books will mean the Board of Elections will be able to save county taxpayers money on the costs for printing paper poll books since the Poll Pads will be able to be reprogrammed for any future elections,” said Democratic Election Commissioner Sarah F. Bormann in a statement. “On demand ballot printing will also result in a cost savings for taxpayers since the Board will only print the number of ballots that are needed on Election Day.”
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The election board stated that the county will be able to save tens of thousands of dollars on unused ballots and poll book printing, and shredding.
What to expect when casting your vote on Election Day
Previously, voters checked into a table that was specific to their electoral district and poll workers searched through the paper pollbooks.
This year, voters will be able to check-in at any check-in station at a poll site on an iPad tablet called a “Poll Pad.” Voters will be asked for their name and address, which poll workers will type into the iPad to pull up the voter’s information.
If the voter chooses, they can scan their driver’s license or their voter registration card to pull up their information, though licenses are not required.
Voters will then be given a receipt and will head to an in-demand printer to have their ballot printed. In exchange for their ballot, they will be given a receipt by the poll workers stationed at an on-demand printer.
The process continues as before with voters going to a privacy booth and filling out their ballots.
How poll pads can reduce lines at polling places
According to the statement, there are a number benefits to the new equipment, including a decrease in paper lists that are used to process voters by poll workers.
The Poll Pad will reflect all information regarding those who have voted, requested an absencee or are in inactive status. This will ensure greater accuracy and eliminate human error.
The Poll Pads have the ability to direct voters to the correct polling place via a printed receipt that includes turn-by-turn directions, or via a text message that includes a link to Google Maps.
This will ensure that voters vote at the correct location and reduce the number affidavit ballots rejected because voters were at the wrong site, the statement stated.
“Electronic poll books will allow voters to be processed in approximately 35 to 40 seconds helping to mitigate long lines with fast and secure voter look-up,” said Republican Election Commissioner Nichole D. Shortell in a statement. “The efficiencies they will create in voter processing will translate into a need for reduced polling place staffing allowing more poll workers to work half-day and split shifts.”
Questions? Call the Oneida County Board of Elections at (315) 798-5765 or email [email protected].
