Scott County is waiting to purchase new voting machines

Despite previous plans to have new ballot counting machines in place by the next election, Scott County voters won't see any changes to voting equipment this year.

Although some of the current machines are failing, county officials are waiting for three possible counting machine vendors to be properly certified before they make a decision, which won't be for at least another year.

Scott County Administrator Gary Shelton said the county wanted to hold off on making any purchases to ensure the potential vendors are both state and federally certified.

But the county can't wait too much longer to make a decision, he said.

"We're running into more and more issues with them," Shelton said, noting jamming as a main problem.

The new machines should eliminate jams and other problems with the current equipment, he said, making the process smoother and more efficient.

Hennepin County recently spent $4.1 million to replace about 550 counters. Anoka County followed suit, spending $1.5 million for 140 precinct ballot counters and one central counter.

Shadick said although the county will need to replace the machines soon and the new equipment will bring the county's voting processes up to date, there isn't an immediate need for them.

"We're confident we'll be OK this year," she said.

Scott County residents will rely on the decade-old equipment while voting for county sheriff, attorney, auditor, treasurer and recorder in November, as well as legislative, state and national races. Three cities in the county — Belle Plaine, Elko New Market and New Prague — also have mayoral elections this year.