Johnson County unveils new voting equipment

The Johnson County auditor's office just spent about $800,000 on new voting equipment.

It's called the Express Vote, and is especially made for handicapped voters.

This isn't the first time Gustavo Manrique has learned new voting equipment. He's worked as a Precint Election Official for 43 years.

"When I started working the machine almost was the curtain style," Manrique said.

Today's voting machine is a little different, now there's a touch screen.

Manrique says it'll make his job easier.

"Sometimes people don't know how to mark the ballot and then we have to get up and go check the machine," Manrique said.

Voters just have to insert a blank ballot.

"And pre-fills what their ballots style is from their precinct, and then it allows them to make their selection," Deputy of Election Carrie Nierling said. "It also has the ability to plug in for somebody that has a Sip-And-Puff, or somebody who doesn't have the capability to use their hands."

Any voter can use the machine. The Johnson County Auditor's Office says this is likely the future of voting.

"College students especially are so used to touch screen for them it would be like 'do do do, off I go,'" Nierling said.

With the intent to draw in more voters, and keep Election workers like Manrique up to date with the latest technology.

"I don't know what's going to be next," Manrique said.