COMPUTERIZED VOTING MACHINES WORKED WELL - Commission Canvasses Tuesday's Election

(05/13/2006)

The Calhoun Commission and personnel from the County Clerk's office completed a day-long canvass of Tuesday's balloting, for the first time using touch-screen computers.

The canvass included checking the paper ballot against the computer's tally. Commissioner Rick Sampson said it turned out with almost 100% accuracy.

There were 21 provisional (challenged) ballots, with four of them not being counted. The vote tally was adjusted, with candidate Larry McCallister picking up four votes and his opponent, Kevin Helmick, picking up four votes.

"Considering we used the electronic machines for the first time, and had a learning curve to make them operational - it really went quite well," said County Clerk Richard Kirby.

Kirby said he heard few complaints from citizens, old or young, about using the machines.

Tuesday at 3 p.m. the county commissioners will officially certify the election.