By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Officials seek bids for new Okla. voting machines
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A top state election official says the voting machines that have recorded Oklahomans' ballots for 18 years will be replaced before the 2012 general election.
State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax (ZEER'-ee-ax) told The Oklahoman newspaper that the optical-scanner machines in use since 1992 have lasted much longer than their 10-year life expectancy, but parts to repair them are getting hard to find.
Ziriax said bids are now being sought for a new system to be used statewide. He said officials have specified that they want a new system that's similar to the one now being used, using optical scanners to read ballots market by voters. He said that's a requirement of state law.
Ziriax said he hopes voters won't notice much difference once the new machines are in place.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com