Ohio approves uses of new voting machine

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s election chief says the state can use a new version of a voting machine that scans paper ballots filled out by voters.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner today announced the approval of the new machine from Election Systems & Software, based in Omaha, Neb. The machine was certified Tuesday by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The machines initially will be used in Cuyahoga County, but could also be purchased by other counties. Thirty-nine counties use Election Systems & Software voting equipment, with 30 of those using machines that scan ballots.

Brunner says the new machine will better identify mistakes and make recounts easier.

Brunner has been pushing Ohio to scrap all of its touch-screen voting machines, but the Legislature refused to provide the money.