The idea for combining precincts together was frowned upon by Commissioner Kevin Kelleher because citizens would not want to drive the extra distance to vote. When it comes to voting, however, Kiffmeyer believes that the size of a precinct shouldn t disqualify the voter from the same opportunity that is afforded to individuals in larger precincts. In larger counties, where there are a million voters, an opti-scan machine saves a lot of time. However, questions of costs and feasibility arise when talking about smaller counties like Houston County. Kiffmeyer said she is hoping to receive state and federal dollars to help counties put optiscan counting machines in their precincts.
County commissioners say the system is working just fine.
Kelleher said voters need to take responsibility for their vote. That s life if you can t read the directions. Auditor Johnson said before each election a sample ballot is printed in the paper. Although an optiscan in each precinct may give voters an advantage if they ve erred, this machine will not reduce the possibility of human error on the part of election judges who are responsible for enforcing voting regulations. Each ballot would still have to be initialed by an election judge, who was sworn in by oath.