Darlene Burnett, director, Wayne County Bureau of Elections, affirmed that for the Primary Election next May, precincts will have new electronic voting booths. The 21st century version has been mandated by federal law under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Electronic machines are being implemented state-wide.

The mechanical machines have been in use in Wayne County since the late 1950's or early 1960's she said, replacing paper ballots.

Whether the new machines will be easier is yet to be seen, she noted. Training will be required for election officials as well as information given the public on their use.

The trusty old mechanical voting booths are in place for today, machines that have registered votes for six or seven U.S. presidential races and many more local and state offices. Today, polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to take your vote for various local government offices as well as two Supreme Court retention questions.

Preliminary poll results will be published in Wednesday and subsequent editions.