Time is right to upgrade voting systems

The need for fair, accurate and efficient elections is readily acknowledged by everyone regardless of political persuasion. The cost of conducting those fair, accurate and efficient elections needs to be acknowledged and addressed at all levels of government regardless of political persuasion.

While it is encouraging to read that legislators are working on a bipartisan basis, it is critical that significant funding efforts begin this year and continue with next year’s capital budget. The window of opportunity to implement new voting technology before the next presidential election is open only for a limited time.

To address the challenges presented by aging voting systems throughout Ohio, a bipartisan group of officials at all levels of government has been negotiating with all state-certified voting machine manufacturers to establish uniform best pricing, maintenance and other contract terms so that when funding is available, counties can move quickly to purchase the voting system that works best for their county.

Now is the time for state and federal officials to approve a funding plan so that counties can plan their funding and implementation over the next few years. Elections are the means by which “We the People” empower our representatives to govern us. Therefore, those who govern at any level — state, federal or local — have a vested interest and a responsibility to support and fund the conduct of elections. The cost of a poorly run election is far too great to ignore the pressing need to fund the most current voting technology.

Edward Leonard Director Franklin County Board of Elections Columbus