Woodbury County Auditor wins $20,000 approval for ballot-on-demand printers

County Auditor Michelle Scaff told the Board of Supervisors that two printers, two laptops and a folding machine would let Woodbury County print absentee ballots on demand, rather than holding large stocks of preprinted ballots. She said the system "will strengthen the security of our elections at Woodbury County" by providing secure sign-on and improved accountability for how many ballots are printed.

Scaff outlined costs in the backup materials: equipment quoted at $15,290, a paper-folding machine for $1,199, 500 blank ballots as initial stock and an annual software/support fee of $2,800 that she said she has already budgeted. She said the county shredded roughly 7,500 folded absentee ballots after the most recent city-school election and estimated the county could save about $1,200 in ballot costs (at roughly $0.20 per ballot) by printing as needed.

Supervisor Nelson moved and the motion was seconded; the board approved the request to expend up to $20,000 from gaming funds and to place any resulting contract on a future consent agenda for signature. The vote was recorded as unanimous, 5–0.

Scaff said two printers would allow the county to operate one unit in-house and one at a satellite voting location, improving flexibility for absentee voting in the rotunda. She also recommended that county counsel or staff (Joshua) review the vendor contract when it is received and return it on a consent agenda for signature.

The board did not debate alternative systems or substitute financing; the action sends the purchase forward with the auditor accountable for contract review and future consent-agenda approval.