By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Steady.”

That’s how Ellis County poll worker Sandra Bainter described the flow of voters into the Hays American Legion, 1305 Canterbury, this morning at 8:30 a.m.

“I hope it stays this way all day.”

The polls are open Aug. 2 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in Kansas for the primary election.

For the first time, Ellis County poll workers are using new electronic tablets to verify the identification of voters.

“They’re a lot faster,” said Barbara Zimmerman, who’s worked the elections for at least five years.

The EA Tablet by Lenovo quickly scans the bar code of an inserted Kansas driver’s license or other ID. The poll worker verifies the scanned information verbally with the voter, who then signs their electronic signature on the tablet. Another machine then prints out the pertinent information about the voter, including which precinct they live in and political party affiliation. The voter hands the paper printout to another poll worker who sets the voter up at the electronic or paper ballot booth, whichever the voter prefers.

Another poll worker said the speedy process “will really make a difference in November during the general election” when there is likely to be a larger voter turnout.

Two Ellis County Commission races are being closely watched today.

There are two Republicans vying for each seat. The District 2 race features incumbent Barb Wasinger against Al Ackerman. Dean Haselhorst, District 3 incumbent, faces challenger Ron Adams.

Check with Hays Post tonight for election results and reactions of the candidates.