South Carolina recently announced the purchase of a new statewide voting system. An evaluation panel unanimously selected the Election Systems and Software (ES&S) ExpressVote voting system. The new paper-based system will replace the state’s aging paperless system that had been in place since 2004.
The ExpressVote ballot-marking device provides voters with the familiarity of a touchscreen, combined with the security of a paper ballot. Voters will navigate the ballot and make selections using touchscreen technology. After verifying their selections, voters will print their paper ballot. Voters will then have the opportunity to review their ballot before inserting it into a scanner. The scanner counts the votes, and the paper ballot is automatically dropped into a secured ballot box. Votes are recorded on the scanner, and the paper ballots are then saved for auditing and verification of results.
York County received over 700 ballot marking devices and 104 ballot scanners earlier in August. Demonstrations are being scheduled around the county for the public to preview the new ExpressVote system. The following demonstration events have been scheduled and are open to the public:
- · Wednesday, September 18, Rock Hill City Hall Rotunda, 155 W Johnston Street, Rock Hill, from 2 pm – 4:30 pm.
- · Saturday, October 26, Tega Cay Fall Festival, the Phillip T Glennon Community Center, 15083 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay, from 11 am – 5 pm.
More events will be announced as scheduled.
The Rock Hill Municipal General Election being held on Tuesday, October 15 will be the first election in York County to use the new voting system.
For more information about the evaluation process and the ExpressVote system, please visit www.scvotes.org.