Franklin County voters will see a change in how they sign in when they go to the polls for the Tuesday, June 5, 2018 primary election.
The Franklin County Commission approved the purchase of 12 voter identification poll iPads at its May 21 meeting. Additionally, Alabama secretary of state John Merrill announced this month that his office was providing Franklin County with another 18 poll iPads, bringing the total for the county to 30. This will allow each voting precinct to have one of the pads onsite and allow county officials to have several spare units on hand in case of emergencies.
The poll pad units allow poll workers to scan a voter’s drivers license or authorized ID card to confirm the voter’s eligibility and to ensure the voter is at the correct precinct.
The 12 units will be purchased from Knowink Election Solutions at a cost of $850 per unit. Additionally, the contract provides for a poll pad license package for each unit at a cost of $495 each. And the county will pay $1,500 for onsite poll worker training to learn how to operate the units.
The three-year contract also includes a $100-per-year software license and maintenance per unit, for an added cost of $3,000 per year, bringing the total contract to $26,610.
Franklin County probate judge Barry Moore said the county will be reimbursed 50 percent of the software cost per unit. Moore said the balance will be paid from funds in the county’s HAVA (Help America Vote Act) fund, which has $20,000 available.
Poll workers will work with the new iPads at poll worker training on May 29.
The poll pads will have all software programs downloaded prior to election day and they do not need an internet connection to work.
“I think this was an opportunity to save some money,” Moore said. “With the secretary of state’s willingness to work with us on this, it was a good opportunity to take advantage of getting the 18 pads.”
Poll workers will have printed voter lists on June 5 in case there are any problems with the iPads, Moore said. Voters will still sign the book for the appropriate primary they choose to vote in.
