Saturday, April 29, 2006
Troubleshooters will be stationed throughout the county on election day.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Georgetta Presnar seemed a little apprehensive as she approached Lawrence County's new iVotronic touch screen voting machine.
But after going through a mock ballot at a recent demonstration at the New Castle Public Library, the 76-year-old Presnar was confident.
"That was easy," she said as she walked back to her seat.
The Lawrence County commissioners and Elections Director Marlene Gabriel are trying to ferry the new machines to as many public events as possible before the May 16 election. This election will be the first time Lawrence County voters will not use a paper ballot.
"I think some of the elderly will have a hard time, but once they get used to it, it will be fine," Presnar said after using the machine.
Lawrence County Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he has been urging poll workers to give voters as much help as possible.
The county is trying to get the word out about the new machines through demonstrations and putting a mock version of the voting system on the county Web site, www.co.lawrence.pa.us. County officials also plan to have a machine at the county elections office this week for anyone who wants to try it.
Patience
But the real key in the primary election will be patience, said Commissioner Dan Vogler.
He has asked that voters set aside more time than usual when they vote this time and asked that those not working vote during the midmorning or midafternoon when there are fewer people at the polls.
"What works in our favor is that there is only one contested race on the Republican ballot and a few more on the Democratic ballot," he said of the expected low voter turnout.
He said they intend to continue the voter education program throughout the summer to prepare for the general election, which is expected to have a higher turnout.
Gabriel said she is still training poll workers on the new machines, and some have come back several times to ensure they know how to use them. As an extra precaution, Gabriel said the county will hire several people familiar with the machines and station them at various points around the county on election day to help.
"We are going to be prepared. We anticipate a few minor problems, but we will have an election and all of the ballots will be tabulated," Fosnaught said.
cioffi@vindy.com