New voting technology hits Kentucky before primaries

MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) - Just in time for the upcoming Kentucky Primary, the state has some new equipment to help making voting more efficient and accurate.

The Hopkins County Clerks Office just received their new e-poll books.

“Before this year precinct clerks had to stop, call the county clerks office," said Deputy Clerk Jenny Menser. "Someone in this office would have to look up that information, convey it over the phone to precinct worker, and then the precinct worker would tell the individual where to go vote. That step is completely deleted with the e-poll books.”

Menser takes time out of her days in the office to train precinct workers on the new technology.

Holding group workshops and 1-on-1 appointments.

So, what does this mean for voters?

“These will help to cut down on error, they should make the process a little more time efficient, and being able to cut down on the communication with the clerks office,” says Jenny.

It also means, if you show up at the wrong polling place poll workers will automatically be notified with this new technology. They can instantly send you a text message with your correct polling site.

“There is very little room for error now, where as with the old way and the old fashioned roster books there was a little bit more,” said Jenny.

Absentee ballots can be submitted up until May 20, and the polls will open on May 21 at 6 a.m.

Copyright 2019 WFIE. All rights reserved.