Marion County Readies Central Count Equipment

Marion County is moving forward with getting a central count system in place for absentee ballots.

Traditionally, the county has counted absentee ballots at precincts.  It’s been going on for the past 12 elections.

But, a new law requires a central count of these votes.

Clerk Beth White says doing so will be costly.

"We are going to spend more money in equipment.  We are going to spend more money in people. We are going to spend more money in supplies. We are going to need additional documents.  We are going to need to print additional things," she said.  "This is a legislative mandate that was not funded by the legislature and is requiring us to figure out how to spend additional money to make this process work."

To go back to a precinct vote, the election board needed a unanimous vote, but there wasn’t enough support.

The county likely will rent the equipment for the new system.

How much that will cost is not yet known.

The county will use a system that, in test runs, counted about 500 ballots in 15 minutes.  Each unit will cost about $6,600 and will be used for the May Primary.