Randolph County commissioners approved the final purchase of upgraded voting equipment recommended by the county board of elections.

Melissa Kirschner, speaking for the board of elections, said legislative changes require faster reporting of absentee and provisional ballots and that upgrades are necessary to meet new timing demands. The system — an updated version of the county's current equipment from Election Systems & Software — includes 32 voting tabulators, ballot boxes and one high-speed counter and is priced at $329,565 under the state contract. Kirschner said the county has the funds in its current budget and that the state board of elections and its executive director previously approved the system.

Commissioners asked about maintenance fees and trade-in value; Kirschner said annual maintenance is required by statute and estimated at about $45,000–$50,000 and that the vendor will accept the old equipment as a trade-in with roughly $34,000 in value plus loyalty discounts. The motion to approve the purchase passed by voice vote. Kirschner noted the county board of elections will finalize early-voting locations at its next meeting.