Memorandum 15-198 Purchase of Touchscreen Voting Units

Memorandum 15-198

TO:                       MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                  JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

DATE:                   DECEMBER 1, 2015

SUBJECT:           PURCHASE OF TOUCH SCREEN VOTING UNITS

In response to a citizen’s request that the City of Homer provide voters with disabilities the means to vote independently, the City Clerk wishes to purchase Touch Screen Voting Units to use in our elections.

The Touch Screen Voting Units are intended for those voters who are blind, disabled or who may not read proficiently; however, any voter may vote on the touch screen voting unit if the voter’s name appears on the precinct register.

We have the opportunity to purchase refurbished Touch Screen Voting Units through Dominion Voting at a cost of $1,270.15 each (to include shipping).

In the event a malfunction occurs on Election Day it is necessary that we have a back-up unit available to offer uninterrupted service to the voters. At each election the City of Homer has a back-up Accuvote unit in the event of failure.

Recommendation:  Adopt Substitute Ordinance 15-45(S) to approve the purchase of three Touch Screen Voting Units.