More than a year after voters were disenfranchised by the county’s long-time election vendor, a permanent fix is in place.
The Johnson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved entering into two separate agreements with MicroVote, the central Indiana vendor that rented equipment and services to the county for this year’s elections. They will take on the role of permanent election vendor for at least the next four years.
Monday’s vote was the final step in a year-long process to remedy the mess that was left behind after last November’s election, and a years-long debate about whether new equipment was needed.
“I’m glad this finally is put to bed,” commissioner Kevin Walls said.
The commissioners had already approved buying the new equipment, and county and company officials spent the last couple months working out the specifics about what the agreement would include, and for how long.
The county will spend about $1.5 million on services and equipment, including 320 voting machines. The Infinity Voting Machine with VVPAT — Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail — is the newest system MicroVote has to offer, and was certified by the state in July.
Election officials chose MicroVote due to the ease and size of its machines, its support staff, the county’s experience with the vendor during this year’s elections and the fact that the cost is a packaged deal with no add-ins, county clerk Trena McLaughlin has said.
The equipment the county is buying from MicroVote is similar to what it used this year, except newer. The system that was used during this year’s municipal elections allowed poll workers and election officials to view a printable audit of each ballot cast. The new system, includes a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, will allow the voter to see that audit as well.
The Johnson County Council recently approved borrowing the money needed for new equipment. That money will be available Dec. 18.
As part of the agreement, MicroVote will also dispose of all of ES and S’s old equipment, including 481 iVoltronic voting machines, some of which no longer work, and 90 e-poll books that were not re-certified by the state after the November 2018 election.
The last time the county bought election equipment was 2003.
