LETTER: Electronic pollbooks to speed voting process in City of Port

To Ozaukee Press:

City of Port Washington voters can expect to see changes at their polling locations beginning with the spring election on April 1. The Common Council approved the acquisition and use of electronic pollbooks, also known as Badger Books, for city elections.

As the city clerk and election administrator, I have been managing elections at the municipal level for 25 years.

In 2017, the Wisconsin Election Commission developed the Badger Book system to be used in Wisconsin and it is the only electronic pollbook authorized for use. As the system has been put into use in many municipalities throughout the state, I’ve been watching its progress and success carefully. I’m confident that the implementation of this electronic pollbook system at our polling locations will be well received and provide more efficient experience for the voters on election day. As always, my commitment to lawful election administration at the city remains the primary focus.

This system’s procedures and security are well developed and will be utilized by myself, my sworn staff and election inspectors.

The Badger Book computer system is completely secure, self-contained and not connected to the internet at any time. All information in the system is encrypted, secured and managed only by the city clerk’s office and election inspectors. Voters will continue to be issued paper ballots and will insert their ballots into the tabulator as always. Voters will present their photo ID and election inspectors will use the electronic pollbooks to check them in and issue a voter number.

Ward lines are no longer needed and any open station can check the voter in at their location. Voters will be required to sign the e-pollbook signature screen, just as they did on the paper pollbook. Election day registration is also managed by the election inspectors on the e-pollbooks. Basically, the system replaces the paper pollbooks and is used for checking in voters and completing election day registration only. All election day information remains in full custody of the city clerk and staff.

More information on Badger Books is available by contacting the Wisconsin Election Commission at epollbook@wi.gov or elections.wi.gov., the city website www.portwashingtonwi.gov, or cityclerk@portwashingtonwi.gov.

Susan L. Westerbeke

Director of Administration/City Clerk

Port Washington