Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Albany County authorizes purchase of high-speed ballot scanner after grant offsets most cost
Summary
Albany County Legislature approved buying a DS950 high-speed ballot scanner and tabulator from Election Systems & Software after a New York State reimbursable grant covered the bulk of the $150,160 price.
Albany County legislators voted to authorize an agreement with Election Systems & Software LLC to buy a DS950 high-speed central ballot scanner and tabulator for $150,160, with most of the cost covered by a New York State reimbursable ballot-by-mail grant.
The legislature discussed the purchase during the meeting after the Board of Elections commissioners explained the county’s need for a second central scanner. Democratic Elections Commissioner Alice McLean Lane told the Legislature the county currently has one scanner and needs a backup to handle large volumes and to avoid being “caught with 16,000 absentee ballots without a backup.” Republican Elections Commissioner Rachel Bleetti confirmed the DS950 is on an Office of General Services contract through 06/14/2026 and noted the county already received a $123,944.27 reimburseable state grant that reduces the county share to about $26,165.
The Board of Elections said additional grants are pending from the state Department of Education that could further offset the county’s share. Commissioners also cited prior maintenance problems during the last presidential cycle as reason for getting a second machine.
A motion to approve the purchase was made and seconded and the Legislature carried the authorization by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally; the meeting record indicates the motion passed on a voice vote.
The DS950 will be purchased under the OGS contract listed by the Board of Elections and the County said the purchase was anticipated in the budget.
The Legislature did not set an implementation date in the discussion; county staff will coordinate procurement and any additional grant reimbursements as they are finalized.
