CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County Commissioners signed off Tuesday night on a Mecklenburg Board of Elections request to purchase controversial election equipment that relies on bar codes for votes to be counted.
The move comes after widespread issues in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, with similar equipment made by the same company. A candidate was shorted thousands of votes and numerous machines had touchscreen issues. Officials blamed human error but recently county election officials voted to express “no confidence” in the equipment. The recent controversy in Pennsylvania was not brought up during the Mecklenburg County meeting
[PAST COVERAGE: NC hearing set to consider voting machines]
Mecklenburg County Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson estimates the county will spend $10 million to $11 million on ES&S equipment. Dickerson said the purchase will include 2,400 ExpressVote ballot marking devices, 350 DS-200 precinct ballot tabulators and related equipment for maintenance.
Voters will use a touchscreen to cast their ballot.
"The learning curve will be smaller since that is what we have been using for the last 12 years," Dickerson said.
After voters made their selections, the equipment will produce paper that shows the voter’s selections and a bar code at the top. The voter will then place it in a tabulator.
This browser does not support the video element.
In a Channel 9 investigation, cybersecurity experts and election integrity activists expressed concern about the bar code system.
More than 100 people emailed commissioners in opposition to this equipment. Coalition for Good Governance Executive Director Marilyn Marks pleaded with commissioners to save money and opt for hand-marked paper ballots instead.
"The touchscreens violate the basic concept of, ‘Don't put a computer between the voter and the ballot,’" Marks said. "Cybersecurity experts say don't buy it. It can't be audited. It can't be secured."
Dickerson told commissioners he feels strongly the equipment and his staff will be prepared to implement them and instruct voters.
"I've got full confidence in this voting equipment, and we feel it will work well," Dickerson said. "I have to test every piece of equipment before I send it out. I know the equipment will work."
Commissioners approved the equipment on an 8-1 vote. Vice Chair Elaine Powell voted no. The only other approved vendor that would have been an option for the county relies on hand-marked paper ballots.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- NEW RHULER: Carolina Panthers hire Baylor’s Matt Rhule as head coach, reports say
- Armed robbery suspect shot, killed after leading deputies on multi-county chase
- Student body president removed after ‘Pajama Day’ deemed a dress code violation
- FORECAST: Schools closed as winter weather moves through mountains
- HS principal charged with DWI after colliding with car, pedestrian, building in Hickory