Starke County Election Board to Meet with Microvote Representatives on Monday

The Starke County Election Board members were to speak to the commissioners Monday night about legislation concerning election cyber security, but board members will meet with Microvote representatives before moving forward with a decision.

Senate Bill 570 proposes a number of new requirements related to election cyber security including a voter verifiable paper audit trail starting in 2022.

To be in compliance with the legislation, if passed, the Starke County Election Board would have to replace all of the county’s voting machines.  The board members have been discussing updating the machines, but updating the machines wouldn’t allow proper accountability standards in Senate Bill 570.  To upgrade all of the components involved could cost over $200,000. 

Clerk Bernadette Welter Manuel told the Starke County Commissioners Monday night that they will have more information to present during their next meeting after meeting with Microvote on Feb. 11.