Try New Voting Machines at Kent Library Today

On Thursday, August 20, from 10am to 12pm, the Putnam County Board of Elections will be demonstrating the new ImageCast opt ical scan vot ing machines at the Kent Public Library, 17 Sybil’s Crossing, in Kent. These ImageCast optical scan voting machines will replace the old lever voting machines at all Putnam County vot ing locat ions beginning with the 2009 Primary Election on September 15, and the 2009 General Elect ion on November 3. Come and find how the new machines work before casting your ballot.

Implementation of ImageCast is a direct result of the Help Amer icans Vote Act (HAVA) , passed by Congress in 2002.

In addition to its ballot-scanning capabilities, the ImageCast is also a ballot-marking device, giving those unable to physi - cally mark their ballots an opportunity to vote confidentially at the polling without relying on outside help.

“We are thrilled to work with the Putnam County Board of Elections to provide this demonstration to the community,” said Kent Library Director Frank Rees. “Like the Library, efficient and confidential voting is vital to our democracy.”