- Posted October 11, 2011
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
E-Pollbooks continue ensuring election integrity in Michigan
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson recently announced that the electronic pollbook program is expanding into more than 1,200 additional precincts in 50 counties for this fall's elections.
"I am pleased to see more jurisdictions taking advantage of this program, which helps eliminate voter fraud and reduce the possibility of clerical errors," said Johnson, Michigan's chief elections officer.
"Together we're working to speed up voting times at the polls while further ensuring election integrity."
The E-Pollbook system is a custom software application developed by the Bureau of Elections. It runs on a laptop computer and greatly streamlines many of the time-consuming processes that can result in long lines at the polls. The laptops are purchased using federal funds provided through the Help America Vote Act. Staff from the Bureau of Elections train county, city and township clerks, and clerks then train their precinct workers. More than 1,800 precincts in 61 counties received E-Pollbooks last year. Each precinct receives one laptop. After this year's purchases, approximately 60 percent of precincts statewide will be running elections using E-Pollbooks.
This year's largest recipients include the city of Detroit, which is receiving laptops for 529 precincts and the city of Livonia, which is receiving laptops for 44 precincts.
The E-Pollbook works like a paper pollbook, which has been used in Michigan precincts for decades. Under E-Pollbook, voters have their driver's license or state identification card swiped electronically. The precinct worker is quickly able to verify eligibility to vote, assign a ballot, update voting history and create all the documentation required when the precinct closes. If the voter is in the wrong precinct, the E-Pollbook can also identify the location of the voter's correct precinct.
"The major benefit to the E-Pollbook has been the reduction in election cost," said Sarah Bydalek, Walker city clerk. "Regardless of the size or type of election, worker cost has been reduced significantly. Our voters also appreciate the shorter wait time, as the E-Pollbook expedites the check in process on Election Day."
Information about elections in Michigan is available at www.Michigan.gov/elections. Citizens may also sign up for official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Michsos and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/Michigansos.
For additional information on the Department of State, customers may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).
Published: Tue, Oct 11, 2011
headlines Oakland County
- Annual Dinner & Meeting
- Federal court denies motion to reopen election lawsuit
- Longtime law professor known for her pioneering research honored with ABA Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award
- Whitmer signs bipartisan bill to drive investment and job creation in local communities
- Leadership Webinar Series looks into ‘Courageous Conversations’
headlines National
- More lawyers—and clients—want to learn about sustainable development practices
- Top artificial intelligence insurance tips for lawyers
- Lawyer charged with illegally transmitting Michigan data after 2020 election
- Viral video shows former Rikers Island inmate as she learns she passed bar exam on first try
- How Sullivan & Cromwell is scrutinizing potential new hires after campus protests
- No separate hearing required when police seize cars loaned to drivers accused of drug crimes, SCOTUS rules