At a warehouse in north Bismarck, the Secretary of State’s office is putting new voting devices through the paces.
"We're doing 'acceptance testing,'" said Secretary of State Al Jaeger. "We're making sure all the pieces we have received are working properly."
Jaeger said there are more than 900 pieces of equipment.
"We're checking everything out," Jaeger said.
Once everything checks out, the machines will be delivered to the 53 counties. Jaeger said while voters won’t notice much difference when they cast their ballots, the system is quicker than the system it replaces.
"The accuracy of election night results should be much better," Jaeger said. "But we've always had accurate elections here."
The new devices replace machines purchased in 2004. Jaeger said those older machines are no longer supported, and the mechanical parts they had are no longer available.
Jaeger said he expects the devices will be delivered statewide, beginning next week.
"I would say by August, all the counties will have the equipment," Jaeger said. "They'll be training, which will be scheduled with county election officials."
Jaeger said he anticipates to have everything in place by the end of the year. He said soon, the state will be purchasing electronic poll books, to go along with the new voting devices.
The 2019 Legislature appropriated $11 million for the upgrade.
