When voters head to the precinct on Election Day, they’ll see a new way to sign poll books.
The new poll pads will be used in every precinct across the county this fall.
They are iPads that eliminate the former poll books that were previously used by precincts. Voters will sign the iPad, which will then print a ticket for the voter. It will also leave a paper trail for the precinct as well.
Officials believe the new pads will make voting more efficient, as they get rid of the alphabetical lines.
The poll pads are not connected to the internet, but will allow for election workers to easily transfer information into their database after the polls have closed.
The electronic poll books are growing in popularity, with more than 20 counties in the state using the same brand as Butler County.
The poll pads received a trial run in the spring at three different precincts. Elections Director Chantell McCurdy said all poll workers were happy with the process, saying it made the operation of voting run smoother.
McCurdy said the poll pads will also make their auditing process easier.
The cost for the poll pads, including the iPad and whole setup, was just under $1,100 per pad. The county used funds from the Election Integrity Grant to cover the nearly $160,000 total cost.
