By AMY RICKER Great Bend Post

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the&nbsp;voting&nbsp;process, the Barton County Commissioners approved the purchase of new&nbsp;election equipment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Six Express Vote Ballot Marking Devices and two Poll Pads, along with the software, licensing and support are included in the purchase&nbsp;and will be&nbsp;used&nbsp;this Fall&nbsp;at&nbsp;the higher populated voting sites.&nbsp;

Filling in for County Clerk, Donna Zimmerman,&nbsp;County Administrator Phil Hathcock said&nbsp;the new&nbsp;equipment&nbsp;will allow voting locations to increase social distancing measures to help protect the election workers and the public against the&nbsp;spread of the Coronavirus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The cost of the new&nbsp;election&nbsp;equipment will be covered&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Reimbursement and Direct Aid plans for SPARK Funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596563252641.jpeg" alt="File Photo" />
 <figcaption>File Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By AMY RICKER Great Bend PostTo help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the&nbsp;voting&nbsp;process, the Barton County Commissioners approved the purchase of new&nbsp;election equipment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Six Express Vote Ballot Marking Devices and two Poll Pads, along with the software, licensing and support are included in the purchase&nbsp;and will be&nbsp;used&nbsp;this Fall&nbsp;at&nbsp;the higher populated voting sites.&nbsp;Filling in for County Clerk, Donna Zimmerman,&nbsp;County Administrator Phil Hathcock said&nbsp;the new&nbsp;equipment&nbsp;will allow voting locations to increase social distancing measures to help protect the election workers and the public against the&nbsp;spread of the Coronavirus.&nbsp;&nbsp;The cost of the new&nbsp;election&nbsp;equipment will be covered&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Reimbursement and Direct Aid plans for SPARK Funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

New voting machines to be purchased to improve social distancing