Delaware Co Election Board

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Delaware Co Election Board - Mock Election

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Thursday, 29 December 2011 13:41

Dixie Smith, Secretary of the Delaware County Election Board, invites all voters in Delaware County to participate in a public mock election on Monday, January 9, through Thursday, January 12, 2012. Voters who visit the Delaware County Election Board office between 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. will have an opportunity to view Oklahoma's new voting machines and to cast a mock election ballot before the new statewide voting system is used for the first time in the February 14, 2012, elections.

The new voting system keeps the best parts of the old system - uniform equipment, standard procedures, and paper ballots counted by scanners - while utilizing technology to improve security and efficiency.
Paul Ziriax, the Secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board, said state election officials are excited about the new voting system. "The best system in the country is getting even better."

Voters still will mark a paper ballot by hand and still will be able to depend on reliable and accurate scanners to count their ballots. The new system is based on modern computer technology, accurately counts ballots, and offers additional security.

The new machines are also accessible for voters with disabilities. An audio tactile interface allows voters with disabilities to cast audio versions of ballots independently and privately.
Oklahoma's old voting system served the state well for many years - more than twenty, in fact. But the machines themselves and the computer system used to program them have aged, spare parts for necessary repairs have become increasingly scarce, and technology has marched forward. The State of Oklahoma received funding for an upgrade of the state's voting system under the federal Help American Vote Act.

The Delaware County Election Board is located at 225 S 5th St, Jay OK, and will be open for the mock election from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, through Thursday, January 12, 2012.