The League of Women Voters of the Columbia Area (LWVCA) is partnering with the Lexington and Richland County Boards of Voter Registration and Elections and Richland and Lexington Counties libraries this week to provide demonstrations of the new voting machines at public libraries locations. Election Commission representatives will provide hands on training for the public on how to use the new voting machines in preparation for Election Day, November 5, 2019.

The state of South Carolina purchased new voting equipment in an effort to resolve recent election miscounts due to computer malfunctions. New voting machines have a touchscreen where voters choose candidates and then print a paper copy of their choices for immediate review. The paper ballot will then be scanned into a separate machine at the precinct to record the vote. The paper ballots will be kept for potential audits of voting results.

Volunteers from the LWVCA will provide voter education and registration information at the voting machine demonstrations this week. The LWVCA will also have information about VOTE411.org, a website developed by the League of Women Voters that provides specific candidate information byprecinct. League of Women Voters volunteers statewide have requested demographic information, website and social media campaign locations, and answers to questions designed for their municipality. Candidate responses can be compared on the VOTE411.org website.

The new voting machine demonstrations will take place on Monday, October 28, 2019 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Richland Library North Main and Lexington Library Main, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Richland Library Sandhills and Lexington Library Chapin, on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Richland Library Main and on Thursday, October 31, 2019 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Richland Library Eastover. The events are free and open to the public.

Information about voter registration, absentee voting, assistance for voters with disabilities, precinct locations and sample ballots is located at www.scvotes.org.

The League of Women Voters is a strictly nonpartisan organization. The League of Women Voters does not endorse any candidate or political party. For more information, visit www.lwvcolumbiasc.org.

Dr. Laura R. Woliver, President

The League of Women Voters of The Columbia Area