Negotiations between Van Buren County, Arkansas Secretary of State, and Election Systems & Software were completed last week. The 3 parties reached an agreement and a sales contract was signed on Oct. 28th, equipping Van Buren County with new election equipment to be delivered in the next 4-5 weeks.
The county ordered 35 ExpressVote machines, 10 DS200 tabulators, and 14 electronic poll books. All of this equipment is manufactured by Election Systems & Software. Van Buren County and the state will share the costs for the equipment. Van Buren County traded in $14,100 worth of equipment and reduced the number of machines needed while the state will contribute $229,202.83.
Following delivery and installation, county election officials and poll workers will receive training on the new equipment and software.
“This integrated system is modern and protected by state-of-the-art technology. We are very confident that the 2020 election in Arkansas will be its most secure election ever,” said Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston. “I think poll workers and voters will be pleased.”
Van Buren County intends to have the new system up and running for the primary election next year. The 2020 Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan General Election will take place Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The 2020 General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2020.
