Hello all poll workers!

Thanks to everyone who replied to our last poll worker update. We now have your current email address for quick communication during the election cycle. For those who volunteered to become a voter education ambassador, we are glad you will be playing a vital part in educating our voters on the use of the new optical scan voting equipment. You will be contacted shortly regarding your involvement.

Our voting system is…

On July 10, 2007, our Board of County Commissioners voted to purchase the Diebold optical scan system. This is the same system currently used in Manatee, Hardee, Polk, and De Soto counties. We will be leasing the “OS” system by Diebold to use in all elections scheduled until 2009 and will purchase then the “OSX” system. The “OSX” is not a new optical scan system, but an upgrade to the “OS” scanner to better handle the logistical requirements mandated by changes in the Florida Statutes. We hope to have demonstration units in our three offices by September. As mentioned in our initial communication to you, we also have a couple of open houses tentatively scheduled. We have changed the dates to the second week in October to better accommodate those people who go north for the summer. Once finalized, the open-house dates will be conveyed to you.

We are now defining the processes to implement the optical scan system. Our goal for the precincts is to have minimal change and keep many of the procedures, such as checklists and guides that we used in past elections. Of course, the process will change but, overall, should be simpler. All this will be ready by September and can be previewed at the open houses - so stay tuned!

Important dates to remember…

Election Date Poll Worker Training Date (Tentative)

November 6, 2007 October 1-5 and October 15 - November 3, 2007 

January 29, 2008 January 2 - January 25, 2008 

August 26, 2008 July 29 - Aug 22, 2008

November 4, 2008 October 1 - October 31, 2008

Special poll worker position…

We are also looking for poll workers who want to become “Audio Ballot” inspectors. These folks will work with voters who want to cast their ballots using a new audio voting terminal. A specialized training class will be developed for working with the audio voting terminal and other unique tasks inspectors may perform on election day. If you are interested in working this position for future elections, call 861-8641 and leave your name and phone number. We will contact you shortly to answer any questions you may have.

Have you moved?

Do you have any changes in address, phone numbers, etc? If so, please email Pam at pcutrone@srqelections.com. New this week is your ability to make these changes on line at www.srqelections.com . Just click on Address Changes under Voter Resources. If you prefer the old fashioned way, the FL Voter Registration Application may be found at branch offices, all libraries and on our website...

We hope you share our excitement and commitment to Sarasota County voters. We will be in touch as we proceed in our optical scan implementation.

Kathy Dent