Ohio County is getting new election poll books and other equipment with assistance from the Help America Vote Act.

Rod Archie, chief financial officer for the county, told county commissioners this week a HAVA grant was available for the county to purchase 80 updated electronic poll books, stands and printers for voting polling locations.

The total cost for the items is about $153,000, but Archie explained HAVA will cover 85% of the price. The county’s share would be about $23,000. Commissioners approved the purchase.

But Archie added the county shouldn’t expect the poll books and equipment to arrive before the Nov. 8 general election.

“These won’t be used in the 2022 general election,” he said. “These are in anticipation for the 2024 election.”

Archie expects them to arrive in January 2023. Ohio County last purchased pollbooks in 2016, he said.

Also this week, the commission office sent out letters to those believed to be interested in being poll workers for the Nov. 8 election.

Toni Chieffalo, coordinator of elections for Ohio County, said she mailed a total of 235 letters to those who had served as a poll worker in the past, or who have contacted the office in recent months about being a poll worker.

Those receiving the letters have until Oct. 7 to respond to the commission office and notify them whether or not they will be able to work the polls on Nov. 8. After this, county officials will determine if they need more available poll workers, she said.

“There will always be some who say they can’t work,” Chieffalo said.

She said the county employs 180 poll workers on Election Day.

Poll workers each receive $175 a day for working the polls, as well as an additional $40 for attending poll worker education classes, according to Chieffalo.

Those interested in serving as a poll worker should contact the Ohio County Commission office at 304-234-3750.