You asked a series of questions about the state's use of optical scan machines. We contacted the Office of the Secretary of the State for answers to your questions and provide each answer separately below.

How much did it cost the state to supply the optical scan voting machines to the 25 municipalities that used them during the 2006 election and how much will it cost to replace all of the state's lever machines with the new machines?

The secretary of the state contracted with LHS Associates to provide the state with 1,538 optical scan machines to replace all 3,300 mechanical lever voting machines by November 2007. LHS initially provided the state with 253 machines and 1,167 privacy booths. The state distributed these machines and booths to 25 municipalities chosen based on a survey. The 1,538 machines will cost the state a total of $ 15. 7 million.

Optical scan machines have “mark sense” technology. This technology requires voters to complete a bubble ballot sheet similar to those used for standardized tests. The voter inserts the sheet into the machine, which reads the markings. The sheet then serves as a paper verification of the vote cast.

What did it cost to have one handicapped accessible voting machine available at each polling place in the state?

The state met the Help America Vote Act (P. L. 107-252) requirement for at least one voting machine accessible to voters with disabilities by entering a one-year contract with IVS, LLC before the November 2006 election. IVS provided the state with machines that allow voters with disabilities to use a telephone at the polling place to cast their votes. The machines cost the state approximately $ 1 million.

How did the state pay for the new voting equipment?

Connecticut received a $ 32. 7 million grant from the federal government to purchase new voting technologies and train election officials. The state will use this money to purchase the machines described above, purchase the equipment needed to run the systems, install telephone lines in each polling place to run the IVS system, and train officials. For more information on the payment of federal funds to states, visit www. Eac. gov and click on funding for states.

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