Pasco County computer election system speeds up voting process

Pasco County - Those who will be volunteering at precincts around Pasco County know election day is serious business.

"It's scary sometimes, because you always want to do things the correct way," said volunteer Gena Massicottee.

Massicotte of Port Richey is a longtime volunteer who remembers the days of the hanging chad and other election issues that have put Florida in the national spotlight.

She says the process is much more streamlined, thanks to EVID.  "It's easier to find the people and corrections.  It makes it so much simpler."

EVID replaces the old-school voter check-in table.  Now voters swipe their ID, hit the touch screen, sign their name electronically and take a receipt to hand in to get a ballot.  It's used in Pasco County, while Hillsborough and Pinellas only use the system during early voting.

Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley says EVID not only speeds up the voting process, but it greatly reduces the chance of voter fraud.

"It automatically is updated.  If someone has voted or ordered an absentee or vote by mail ballot, or if they've early voted, it will notify the poll worker," said Corley.

Another feature of the EVID system is that is allows officials to see real-time voter turnout numbers. The information will be released to the public every hour on election day.

"Clearly transparency is vital in what we do," said Corley.

If you don't have an ID card to swipe in the EVID system, you won't be turned away. You will get a provisional ballot. Then officials will determine whether or not you are eligible to vote.