Commissioners purchase voting system
by Sue Price - Mail Staff Writer
published 03/03/2010
New system much more efficient and cost effective.
Purchase of the $52,565 Ballot Now voting system, was unanimously approved by county commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday.
The new system will be paid for in two installments from the Chaffee County replacement fund, county finance director Dan Short, said.
Ken Trethewey of Hart Intercivic demonstrated the system Monday at the commissioners' work session.
County clerk Joyce Reno said Ballot Now includes software, scanner, desktop computer, printer and staff training. She labeled it "much more efficient and cost-effective."
"This will save a large amount of money by allowing print-on-demand of ballots," Reno said. Previously, Reno said she orders ballots in September without knowing how many voters will vote by mail, use vote centers, or fail to vote.
Unused ballots are discarded after election day, wasting thousands of dollars.
Reno said she hopes having a mail-in primary election will save $15,000. In the general election, she said the new system can save the county as much as $45,000, depending upon ballot size.
Commissioner Dennis Giese said, "The program has to be user-friendly, get the voting results out much quicker, and save money.
"It also has to be accurate and ensure integrity of election results. We will go by your recommendation that this system does all those things."