Ohio Funds Statewide Expansion of Electronic Poll Books

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has announced plans to provide $12.7 million in funding to counties for implementation of electronic poll books. E-poll books, which will replace the paper registries traditionally used when voters check in at polling places, are shown to reduce jurisdictions’ paper and personnel costs.

According to the announcement, the funds are intended to cover up to 85 percent of each county’s purchase or upgrade costs. At least 21 Ohio counties already use e-poll book systems, and those jurisdictions can also take part in the state’s grant to recoup their costs.

The grant funds are available immediately, and state officials hope that all counties will have implemented the new technology in time for the 2016 presidential election. The state has also released a list of approved vendors and devices. (PDF)

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