Atlas Township and Goodrich residents will have a chance to make history when they head to the poll on Tuesday.
Local voters, along with Flushing Township voters will be the first in Genesee County to utilize the new M100 Optical Scan Election System and Software voting system.
Using a pen or pencil voters will blacken circles next to their selection on a paper ballot similar to questionnaire forms used for exams. The new voting machines then move the ballots to an optical scan voting machine which slides sheets of paper into the device.
‘Voters might be a little intimidated by the new machines,? said Tere Onica, Atlas Township Clerk. ‘But, voters will find it’s much better and for the township. It’s a lot easier.?
In previous elections, Onica, and other township clerks county-wide had to haul the votes to the County Clerk’s office. The ballots were then tallied and results published the next day.
‘Basically, we just upload the results, no counting, no hanging chads,? added Onica.
‘The process is just a lot easier for everyone.?
On Tuesday Voters will be deciding whether to approve 1 mill for a period of five years to contract police services with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department. The millage will cost an owner of a home worth $200,000 about $100 per year.
If passed, about $246,416 will be collected from residents; however, another $96,000 will be needed to cover the cost of four Sheriff’s deputies currently stationed in Atlas Township. The deputies also patrol the village of Goodrich which contributes 30 percent of the cost. About eight years ago the Township discontinued their own police patrols for the Genesee County Sheriff deputies.
‘We’re fortunate that we get such good coverage, they don’t hang out at the station,? Onica said.