County board votes to upgrade voting machines to adhere to federal mandates
By MARY TALLON - Herald & Review   September 9, 2005

DECATUR - People living with disabilities in Macon County should have an easier time when they make their next trip to the voting booth.

The Macon County Board unanimously approved a resolution Thursday that allows the county to seek $435,000 from the Illinois State Board of Elections to upgrade the optical scan voting systems to include machines with touch screen voting and audio capabilities.

The equipment, to be purchased from Fidlar Election Co., is needed for the county to comply with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.

Although the state is providing federal money to purchase the equipment to assist impaired voters, upkeep and repair of the new machines will be an ongoing county expense.