Election Office Displays New Voting Equipment

New Bedford has purchased new voting tabulation machines, scanners, and voting booths, replacing equipment that is now out of production or is very old.

More than 40 new tabulation machines have been purchased. Election Commission Chairperson Maria Tomasia says the older equipment has seen better days.....

The city also purchased new four-sided voting booths, replacing wooden booths that are fifty years old or older.

The new equipment cost more than $400,000, but most of that cost was offset by some smart planning by New Bedford Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky.

Tomasia says New Bedford receives reimbursements from the state for the cost of elections, and Sky put some of that money aside to cover most of the cost of the new equipment.

There will also be changes on the New Bedford ballot in November. Instead of drawing a line to vote, voters will simply have to fill in the oval to vote for the candidate they favor. .