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Board discusses high‑speed scanner ownership, dedicated election computer and SIM card programming
Summary
Members reviewed whether the high‑speed scanner should be purchased, who owns current machines, and the technical needs for tabulator data merging; staff said SIM cards handle programming and a dedicated, standalone computer is needed for election night.
Donna (election official) told the board programming costs are low because the tabulator uses SIM cards to upload results: "No extra cost because it's those little SIM cards... you take one of them out of the tabulator, and you put it into the computer to upload what went through the tabulators to merge with the preprocessing." She added that the bigger equipment need is a dedicated, standalone computer for election night that is not used for other purposes.
Board members recalled that the BCA previously authorized purchasing a high‑speed scanner but deferred the purchase because of rapid obsolescence. Ray suggested asking council to include a scanner in the December budget if the board wants to own one; others noted the state or LHS might lend equipment and that scheduling between municipalities could become a constraint. No procurement decision was made at the meeting; staff agreed to follow up with LHS and the state.
