More funds available for voting machines

Two recent moves by the state board of elections will be of benefit to Alleghany County in its quest to replace its voting machines. The state has agreed to make $3 million in grant funds available equally to all 100 counties, which equates to $30,000 for each county. As an added benefit, the state board has negotiated a deal with the only company approved to provide machines, Election Systems and Software (ES&S), to allow counties to pay for the new machines on July 1. According to information sent to the Alleghany Board of Elections by state officials, the move will “assist boards of county commissioners with budgeting.”

County Manager Don Adams said that is indeed the case. He noted, “That will put the payment into the next budget year, but our main issue was being forced to spend the money.” Adams said the county commision has voiced concerns about not having choices in supplying voting equipment, as well as in being forced to retire its voting equipment prematurely. Under the agreement, the state board will pay directly to ES&S the HAVA (Help America Vote Act) federal grant funds for the primary voting equipment expenses, so counties do not have to expend any local funds prior to the primary, which is slated for May 2.

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