State may not repay counties for handicap voting machines

By Clyde L. Stancil    The Decatur Daily   21 December 2005

MOULTON ? A mandate that included money to help Alabama comply with handicap voter laws could turn into another unfunded mandate.

County governments will know by May 1, the day the secretary of state is supposed to reimburse them for using their own money to purchase machines that make voting easier for handicapped citizens.

Lawrence County Probate Judge Richard I. "Rip" Proctor told county commissioners about the recent development at a Tuesday meeting. He said the reimbursement amount would depend on how much money is left after counties across the state purchase their machines.

Earlier this year, Proctor told commissioners that lawmakers sent money to Alabama to fund the purchase of the machines as part of the Help America Vote Act. Now, however, the state may need more machines than the money will buy.

Lawrence County will purchase 32 machines for its 29 precincts. The machines cost $6,025 each, forcing Lawrence County to spend $192,800 of its own funds.

Proctor said counties must apply for reimbursement by Feb. 1. He said Secretary of State Nancy Worley will prorate the money if the cost of the machines exceeds the money available for reimbursement.