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State signs contract to buy new voting equipment Wednesday, Nov 2, 2005 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A contract has been signed with an Omaha, Neb., company to purchase new voting equipment for each of the state's 75 counties, Secretary of State Charlie Daniels said Tuesday. The contract with Election Systems and Software and should allow the state to meet standards set by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Final terms of the contract are still being negotiated, but Daniels estimated the cost will be about $15.2 million based on each county's preliminary equipment needs. "This company has a proven record of quality and service in the state and offers a seamless interface with the statewide voter information network now being implemented," Daniels said in a news release. Daniels' office has been trying to upgrade voting systems statewide to comply with state and federal election laws passed after the 2000 recount that determined George W. Bush's win over Al Gore. At least one new electronic voting machine will be available at each of the polls in the May 23 state party primary elections. Election officials in each county will now choose between approved voting systems that provide a mixture of electronic ballots and paper ballots counted by electronic scanners, Daniels said. ES&S will provide voting devices, vote tabulation software and installation services, as well as training and support. Federal HAVA grants are expected to cover the bulk of the purchase, with about 5 percent matched by the state, Daniels said. |
