The Sedgwick County Commission votes to add new voting machines

Long time readers of the blog will remember that back in August of 07, nearly a year ago, the Wichita Branch NAACP came together with a number of different organizations forming the Sedgwick County Voter Coalition. Our primary objective was to address the dramatic reduction of polling places and voting machines within Sedgwick County.

Story 1 : Coalition delivers formal request to the Commission

Story 2 : Commissioners agree to set aside $100,000.00 from the budget

Story 3 : Coalition presses the case, Commissioners agree to reconsider

Today, the Sedgwick County Commissioners voted to purchase new voting machines with the monies that the coalition had asked them to encumber for this purpose. They also noted that they will incorporate paper ballots at the polling places to provide additional voting capacity.

We didn't get all that we'd asked for, but certainly this is a positive step in the right direction. These additional machines and the incorporation of paper balloting will assist in the effort to ensuring that all who wish to vote are able to in a timely and convenient fashion.

We applaud the Commissioners willingness to be responsive to the concerns of the community and particularly those concerns raised by the Sedgwick County Voter Coalition...