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Elections director keeps $500,000 placeholder for e‑poll book replacements; equipment fund may cover costs
Summary
Elections director said the county’s electronic poll books are nine years old and the department left a $500,000 placeholder in a replacement fund for potential upgrades; Director said current equipment still works but new solutions could improve efficiency.
Mohave County Elections Director told the board on April 16 that the county’s electronic poll‑book equipment, originally purchased about nine years ago, still performs but may be nearing obsolescence. The elections department placed a $500,000 placeholder in the elections equipment replacement fund to allow staff to replace e‑poll books if a demonstrable benefit or need arises before the next general election.
The director said the current devices were purchased with Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds and that a replacement purchase today would likely be closer to $400,000 rather than the $500,000 placeholder. He told the board the equipment replacement fund currently holds sufficient balance to cover a replacement if needed and that the $500,000 line in the proposed budget is a contingency so the county would not have to return to the board later in the cycle if a purchase becomes imperative.
Ending note: No purchase decision was made at the workshop; the elections director said he will request funds from the equipment replacement account only if a replacement is judged necessary and beneficial.
