Ahead of the Nov. 3, 2020, general election, Secretary of State John Merrill’s office said that electronic poll books will be utilized in 63 of Alabama’s 67 counties.
In recent years, Alabama has made progress in updating outdated systems and replacing old equipment with the most up-to-date technology, installed with full security measures. Notably, in 2019, the Secretary of State’s office replaced the computers used by local election officials in all 67 counties at no cost at all to the county or state through the use of Help America Vote Act funds.
The electronic poll books provided for 63 of Alabama’s counties will be used to increase the security, speed and efficiency of the check-in process for voters.
“In our efforts to promote voter identification accuracy, we have strongly encouraged the use of electronic poll books statewide as to reduce the possibility of human error,” Merrill said. “Through increasing the use of electronic poll books in our state, we are providing a method to more quickly and accurately process voters at the polls.”
When signing in at the polls, voters will check-in using the electronic poll book as opposed to the paper books, expediting the check-in process.
In addition, adequate training will be required to ensure poll workers are knowledgeable and understanding of how to operate the machines.
The four counties that will not have electronic poll books on Nov. 3 are Bullock, Greene, Perry and Sumter. The probate judges in these four counties opted not to utilize the electronic poll books for this election cycle; however, they will be in use for the 2022 elections.
