Oktibbeha accepts Diebold machines

8/16/2005 3:55:39 AM
Daily Journal

By ROBBIE WARD
Daily Journal Starkville Bureau

STARKVILLE - Oktibbeha County will use touch-screen voting machines offered by the secretary of state's office, but county officials still have reservations.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to accept 72 voting machines and printers made by Diebold Election Systems and paid for by the state of Mississippi and the federal government.

The decision was based on the recommendation of Circuit Clerk Angie McGinnis, who said counties were "strong-armed" into accepting the proposal by Secretary of State Eric Clark because of cost factors and liability issues.

Oktibbeha County will need about 20 more machines to prevent long lines at voting precincts during elections, she said.