Optical-scan voting machines won't leave candidates hanging

Twelve counties will use new, high-tech equipment today

March 16, 2004

By CARRIE KEPPLE

of the Journal Star

A dozen counties throughout central Illinois have complied with the Help America Vote Act by updating to optical-scan voting machines in place of punch-cards.

Some of those counties will be using the new machines for the first time and have implemented various programs in past months to smooth the transition.

LaSalle County is one of the 12 to make the conversion, and officials there say they are anxious to try out the new machines.

"We've been working toward this for some time," said LaSalle County Clerk Mary Jane Wilkinson. "We have done several demonstrations throughout the county - at nursing homes, our junior college and libraries - since early December."

The county also doubled its usual nine training sessions for election judges to ensure one-on-one training. The county has more helpful information on its Web site at www.lasallecounty.org.

"I'm thinking the voter turnout in the primaries will be up because of the curiosity of the new voting system and also because of all the local issues. Our voter turnout is usually around 23 percent but I am hoping for 30 (percent)," Wilkinson said.

Bureau County Clerk Kami Hieronymus said they have demonstrated their optical scan voting machines throughout the county at various businesses and events. And this year they put out a voter's guide including a sample ballot.

Hieronymus, too, is anticipating a slight increase in voter turnout, about 30 percent, today because of referendums on the ballot.

"We have actually had people come in and request non-partisan absentee ballots," she said.

In Fulton County, which also has adopted the new machines, Clerk Randy Rumler said there have been more absentee voters this election than he has seen in his 22 years in office.

"I think it's mainly because of the two referendums in Canton," he added. "I'm guessing voter turnout will be between 30 to 35 percent here."

The Canton School District is asking voters for a property tax increase of 55 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation for educational purposes.

The city of Canton is asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase to avoid a rise in property taxes. Voters will be asked to increase the current 6.25 percent sales tax to 6.75 to generate about $650,000 annually.

Rumler said many Fulton County residents have stopped by his office to get a sneak peek of the optical scan machine. "I don't think people want to be surprised on Election Day."

Voters in the city of Peoria and Peoria County won't be surprised. The machines have been used previously.

The current voting machines in the city of Peoria are 11 years old. Jeanette Mitzelfelt, executive director of the Peoria Election Commission, said there is no need to replace them in the near future, but she is considering buying additional machines before 2006.

The city also is offering Internet services for the first time. By visiting www.ci.peoria.il.us, voters can check their registration, check the locations of nearby polling places, get sample ballots and also see maps of the city that outline the districts. To download the information, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required but can be downloaded free of charge within minutes. Peoria County also will offer a Web site that will be continually d, www.peoriacounty.org.

Provisional voting is yet another addition to today's primaries. Provisional voters are those who are not registered and, in the past, have been turned away from the polls. They will now have the chance to vote. After filling out their ballots, provisional voters will be allowed two days to produce the proper identification to election officials to prove their validity as a voter.

According to Peoria County Clerk JoAnn Thomas, a toll-free telephone number will be provided at the polls for provisional voters to check the final status of their vote.