THOMASVILLE — Thomas County voters will be introduced to new voting machines in the March Presidential Primary election.

“It’s going to be a very busy year, on top of new voting machines,” Mike Stephenson, county manager, said at a Monday Thomas County Commission budget session.

Stephenson said Elections Supervisor Frank Scoggins has been diligent in preparation for the 2020 election year, adding that some unforeseen election expenses might surface in mid-2020.

Stephenson told commissioners he thinks it will take longer to vote with the new machines. 

“Even if it works well, it’s going to take longer,” he said.

New voting machines are being provided statewide at no cost to local governments.

“Where you had one machine, now you’ll have three,” said commission Chairman Wiley Grady.

The new machines must be stored in a climate-controlled building. Marked ballots resulting from the new machines must be secured for 24 months.

Scoggins told commissioners Thomas County now has 133 voting machines in use. The number will increase to 250 — and possibly more — when new machines are in place.

The number of poll workers will have to increase, Scoggins said. If a polling place has three workers now, a minimum of six will be required, he said.

State personnel will inspect all Thomas County polling places.  

Stephenson said a real estate agent will be contacted about the availability of a building to meet voting machine storage requirements.

Prior to the March 24 presidential primary, Scoggins will schedule demonstrations about how to use the new voting machines.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820