Northampton County’s Elections Commission met Feb. 14 to discuss, among other things, the new voting systems that the state wants in place before the 2020 presidential election. These must contain a paper trail. Governor Tom Wolf has directed all 67 counties to purchase new voting machines, but the state has only provided $14.1 million statewide to make purchases projected to cost $147 million. Northampton County’s share is $342,000.

On Jan. 10, about 30 county elections judges visited Lehigh County for a demonstration of several voting systems. According to Deputy Voting Registrar Amy Hess, a survey of these judges revealed they like the ExpressVote XL, as well as Clear Ballot. The ExpressVote XL system is favored by County Administrator Charles Dertinger.

Elections Commissioner Deb Hunter would like to invite some experts from Lehigh University, along with elections judges to discuss these systems at a meeting March 6. “Personally, I think it’s a waste of time,” said Chairman George Treisner. But he was outvoted by the other commissioners.

Hunter expressed frustration at receiving the agenda on the day of the meeting, although it was pretty much identical to an “informational” meeting in December. She also complained about the meeting being set by the administration. “These are our meetings,” she complained, asserting the Commission’s independence.

Bushkill Township resident Crystal Mulada spoke about moving elections from the Butz Elementary School to a nearby fire hall. “The voters of this township are telling you they want [the polling place] changed,” she argued.

Commission member Maudeania Hornik commented on an elderly voter who was struck and killed by a driver in the Forks Township Community Center parking lot during last November’s election. “The Forks incident bothers me,” she said. “I think it’s horrible that someone went out to vote and lost their life.” She noted that the parking lot there is always congested, and suggested that Forks officials be requested to cancel other events on election day. “I’m not telling them what to do,” she stressed, but said that would make things safer.

Administrator Charles Dertinger said he would discuss the matter with the community center.

Complaints about the Upper Nazareth Municipal Building as a polling place are being reviewed, advised Solicitor Richard Santee. He said he had received a letter from Upper Nazareth Solicitor Gary Asteak.

Finally, commissioners approved a referendum question in Lower Nazareth Township asking the voters if they would support an additional earned income tax of 0.25 percent for the acquisition of open space.