2015/05/12 – Hinds County will have roughly 230 precincts for Democratic and Republican primaries in August, but only has 165 electronic polling books on hand. 

Hinds County will have roughly 230 precincts for Democratic and Republican primaries in August, but only has 165 electronic polling books.

“When they purchased new voting machines, we received 165 electronic poll books-one poll book for every 1,000 active voters,” said Hinds County Election Commission chairwoman Connie Cochran. “That’s good for general elections, but not for primaries. The parties want their own poll books. They don’t want to share.”

The county is considering buying or leasing 85 additional electronic poll books. Cochran said electronic poll books were used for the general election last November, but this will be the first time electronic polling books will be used for primary elections.

The dilemma is having to scan the information into a computer system. “It’s almost humanly impossible to scan them into the system,” Cochran said.

Hinds County isn’t required to use electronic poll books, and could continue to use paper poll books where a voter’s name is found on the paper and their address information is verified. A voter then signs their name on the paper book.

Cochran said the norm across the country is to switch to electronic polling books.

Madison County recently purchased 220 electronic poll books and accessories at a total cost of about $228,000.

Madison County officials said electronic poll books are about the size of an iPad tablet. Voters sign-in on the screen of an electronic poll book.

Rankin County District 4 Election Commissioner Eric Baldwin said the county is considering electronic poll books, but no final decision has been made.

“It look like great technology,” Baldwin said.

Cochran said it would cost about $122,000 for Hinds County to purchase 85 additional electronic poll books.

Source: The Clarion-Ledger 

Jimmie E. Gates