Starke County Clerk Bernadette Manuel is not impressed with the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines.
She told the Starke County Election Board members that the machines given to the county for use in the Primary Election, and that will be mandated for use by 2029, shows the voter’s selections on the screen, and if there is a mistake, they can go back and change the vote and review it again. However, it will not do it more than twice. She added that the screens are also very hard to see.
She said she won’t purchase any VVPAT machines until it’s absolutely necessary. They are $1,400 apiece and it is required for use in 2029.
Board member Colleen Hodge also expressed that she was not impressed.
Voters are allowed to review their ballot on the Microvote machines and votes can be amended at any time without the use of the VVPAT. A voter can make any changes prior to the action of confirming the vote.
The board members will wait until more information about the VVPAT machines comes from the state before they discuss the matter further.
