The current electronic poll pads used at voting precincts and in the Barton County Clerk’s Office have reached the end of their life span, County Clerk Donna Zimmerman told the County Commission Monday morning.

So, the County Commission approved the purchase of new pads, as well as other related election equipment, totalling $95,915.

Omaha, Neb.-based Election Systems and Software has a poll pad product that integrates with the ES&S electronic voting equipment and ES&S ELection Voter Information System (ELVIS) voter registration database. Fifteen additional ExpressVote ballot marking devices are also quoted.  

“The additional equipment should help to expedite lines of voters on election day,” Zimmerman said. The cost for all equipment includes installation, training and a one-year warranty. 

It is possible the cost could qualify for  to American Rescue Plan Act funds, she said.   

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11 to speed up the recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession. Since this will allow for better distancing at the polling places, the purchase may be eligible.

These pads replace ones purchased from Knowink Innovating Election Systems of St. Louis, Mo., in June 2016. The county purchased an additional one in August 2018.

Then, in October 2020, Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas funding from the state was tapped to purchase two more, but Zimmerman said she was not informed then that these pads were soon to be obsolete.

Poll pads take the place of paper poll books. But, are not to be confused with electronic voting machines and have nothing to do with casting ballots.