COLUMBUS, OH- Election Officials around the state expressed gratitude to the General Assembly for appropriating $7.5 million for the purchase of electronic poll books. The money was included as part of HB 45, legislation appropriating $1.4 billion in federal ARPA dollars.
“Electronic poll books have transformed the voting process for election administrators and voters alike,” stated Brian Sleeth, President of the Ohio Association of Election Officials (OAEO). “We are so unbelievably grateful to the General Assembly for this important investment in our elections.”
Electronic poll books have been used in Ohio since 2006, but a state grant program in 2016 expanded their use to nearly all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Since that time Ohioans have been able to move through the voting process more quickly, thereby reducing lines. Check ins have become more accurate using electronic poll books, virtually eliminating manual errors. However, the e-poll books purchased under the original program are reaching end of life and are due to be upgraded and replaced.
Shery Poland, First Vice-President of the OAEO discussed how the new poll books will benefit Ohioans. “The newest generation of electronic poll books will be more secure than any that have come before. We will work with our vendors and the Secretary of State to make sure that these new generation e-poll books will comply with all security directives and protocols.”
In addition to serving as President of OAEO, Brian Sleeth is Director of the Warren County Board of Elections. In addition to serving as First Vice-President of OAEO, Sherry Poland serves as Director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections. The Ohio Association of Election Officials is a bipartisan organization representing Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections and their staff members. Its mission is to promote fair, accurate and reliable elections through the education of its members, advocating for sound election policies, and communicating accurate information regarding the administration of elections.