Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board weighs options after Suffolk County says it will not share new voting machines
Summary
Suffolk County's notice that it will not share new voting machines prompted district staff to present three options — accept older free machines with a maintenance contract, buy new machines (est. $25,500–$34,000 plus maintenance) or return to paper ballots — and to recommend paper ballots while the district remains on a waiting list for free equipment.
District clerk and project staff told the board on Nov. 19 that a 10/07/2025 notice from the Suffolk County Board of Elections means the county will not share its new machines for local school district elections. The county offered three choices: take the county’s older machines at no purchase cost but with a vendor maintenance contract (district quote for maintenance ~$12,481 for two machines), purchase new machines (estimated $25,500–$34,000 for two machines plus annual maintenance of $8,000–$11,000), or use paper ballots for elections and budget votes (the district estimated a modest net reduction in cost for the election event compared with machine options).
District staff recommended the board prepare to use paper ballots for the next budget vote while staying on the county waiting list for free machines; they described a recommended night-of-count quality-assurance process with two counting teams and retention of ballots for recounts or challenges. Board members asked whether the district could accept older free machines and delay a maintenance contract decision until machines are inspected; Mr. Laube said the district is on a waiting list and could store free machines until a final decision. The board did not make an immediate final decision; members discussed community messaging if the district moves to paper ballots and the possibility of asking county or elected officials for clarification from the Board of Elections.
