Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Correspondence: NONE

General Business:

1.) Lehigh County Voter Registration Office, New Voting Machines (Review and Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the discussions by advising all in attendance that Lehigh County is here with two of the new voting machines to demonstrate how the new machines operate and answer any questions. Councilman Kovacs commented that he had the opportunity to receive instruction on the machine and thought the new system is excellent. The Township Attorney commented that he felt that the new process would make things a whole lot easier. In attendance on behalf of Lehigh County was Ms. Stacy Sterner who advised all in attendance that the machines which would be utilized for Lehigh County are from a company know as Diebold. Ms. Sterner noted that the county had looked at numerous machines but chose the Diebold product because of handicap accessibility and the keypads. As far as security, Ms. Sterner noted that they are stand alone units that do not plug into the Internet or phone lines. They simply plug into the wall for power. Ms. Sterner advised that a memory card is loaded before the polls and then a memory card is returned after the voting takes place. She noted there is also a backup memory card in the voting machine and that will remain there forever. She advised that there is an auto function available for the blind. Ms. Sterner also indicated that these machines are wheel chair accessible and that you can sit the machine right on your lap. Ms. Sterner advised all in attendance that Lehigh County is touring the County with educational instruction on the machines at various locations such as the malls and senior citizen centers.

Upon questioning by Chairman Paulus, Ms. Sterner noted that there is a fine line between help and assistance as same relates to the Judge of Elections and the helpers on Election Day. She indicated you can ask the judge for help but not for assistance. She indicated that the minute you place yourself in front of the machine it becomes assistance and both the voter and the individual providing the assistance must sign off indicating that assistance was offered. Chairman Paulus commented that in other words you can attempt to help the voters verbally but if you stand by them it constitutes assistance. Councilwoman Hayden questioned whether or not the machines are screened and Ms. Sterner noted that there are no curtains but there are shields on either side of the machines. She noted that all efforts would be made to make sure the machines are placed in an area so that they cannot be viewed by other people. Ms. Sterner also advised that Diebold will bring in an additional 20 people in addition to the County’s employees to rove the different voting districts on Election Day. It was noted that the net cost per machine was $2,495. Chairman Paulus questioned who programs the candidates and Ms. Sterner advised that Diebold did it this year and the County proofed it and then a memory card is received. She noted the ballot is made for each office and for each district. Each district then gets to proofread the ballot again. This is referred to as the logic and accuracy test. Ms. Sterner noted that after voting takes place, the memory card is taken out of the machine and locked in a sealed envelope which is returned to the County. Chairman Paulus questioned whether at the end of the voting day the workers will know what the votes were. Ms. Sterner indicated that there would be a supervisor’s card which they can access and then the results can be received and taped in an appropriate location for view at the voting place. Ms. Sterner noted that when the voting commences with the new machines there will be instructions posted on the wall at the voting place and that advertising will be taking place to make people aware of the new voting machines in the newspaper, on the radio, and through the voter education process which the County is working on. The Township Attorney questioned Ms. Sterner as to how he would get in touch with her if he had a group of individuals that he would like the County to consider instructing. Ms. Sterner advised that she can be reached at (610) 782-3198.

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

Motion: --- I move we adjourn this meeting of the Hanover Township Council at 7:40 P.M..

Paulus: Moved.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager