The county's original estimate of $6 million to $8 million for a new voting system mandated by the state might drop to $1 million.

Shari Brewer, elections bureau director, said Wednesday that the original estimate was for a replacement system that would be similar to the current system.

“Now, (the county commissioners) are mainly looking at more of a paper ballot with a scanner at each precinct,” Brewer said.

That type of system would cost about $1 million, not including annual maintenance fees, paper costs and other expenses.

Brewer said she and the three commissioners have now heard presentations from five vendors. Four are government certified and one is in the process of receiving certification.

The other type of system available, Brewer said, is a ballot marking device that is similar to the current system, but prints out a paper receipt.

“But those ballot marking devices are pricey,” she said. “We need 600 machines, and they're about $3,400 each plus $110 for maintenance every year.”

Whichever system they choose, the commissioners want poll workers to try out the systems before one is purchased.

“They are the ones out there on the front lines, working with the equipment and the voters,” Brewer said.

While state officials have said counties will receive financial assistance for the voting systems, Brewer said no information has been released on how much each county might get.

She said counties might find themselves in the lurch if they buy new voting equipment on a payment plan and the state funding dries up after a few years.

“We want some type of guarantee,” Brewer said of any funding extended by the state.

Brewer said the commissioners hope to have a voting system purchased by the beginning of March for implementation in the November general election.

The goal is to allow voters and poll workers to familiarize themselves with the new system before the 2020 presidential election.

Brewer said the commissioners are being diligent in learning the systems and all that is involved with each to make the right decision for replacing the voting machines, which are reaching the end of their usefulness.

“They have to do what the county and the taxpayers can afford, so a lot of things come into play,” she said. “There are a lot of things to consider.”

The Butler County commissioners are poised to make a decision on a vendor for the voting system mandated by the state.April 2018 — State officials announce a mandate for all counties to have voting machines that create a paper trail so they cannot be hacked. Federal funding of $14 million will be distributed to counties through Harrisburg for help in purchasing the systems. Counties must choose from systems certified by state and federal departments of state. Systems must be purchased by the end of 2019.February 2019 — Four systems have been certified. Gov. Tom Wolf announces he will ask for $75 million to be budgeted for distribution to counties over five years, to help counties that bought systems on payment plans. The funding has not been approved by the legislature.