On Saturday, March 28, 2015, Timothy Kitzman, Clerk-Treasurer of the Town of Somers, held a training session at Town Hall for Somers poll workers.  The new Express Vote and optical scan voting machines, implemented county-wide, will make their debut in the Town of Somers for the April 7, 2015 election.  The cost of four new optical scan and two new Express Vote machines, expensed in the election category of the 2015 budget, is $35,950.00.  The Express Vote machine is compliant with the Americans with Disability Act.  With its large colored monitor, it allows all voters, including those with special needs, to cast their ballots privately and autonomously. Express Vote is equipped with headphones and a Braille keypad.  Scanning a photo of each ballot is a new feature of the two new optical scan voting machines.  Training also included instructions regarding the special Somers incorporation referendum along with sample ballot reviews, ballot security, registration, and general voting procedures.  “The Town of Somers is fortunate to have such dedicated poll workers, some who have served the Town for 40 years,” said Timothy Kitzman, Clerk-Treasurer.
 

Front row, left to right:
Ruth Gosselin (10); Judy Lichter-Summers (15); Edna Highland (4); Ann Mikutis-Niesen; Karen Gross (5); Gloria Barros (5)
 
Middle row, left to right:
Maureen Schauer (35) and Chief Inspector; Dolores Tabbert, Chief Inspector; Mary Schoen (40); Beverly Bartel (40); Marianne Kraus (10) and Chief Inspector; Doris Nygren (35); Jean Otto
 
Back row, left to right:
George Wojtak (2); Jim Smith (1); Margaret McDonald (5) and Chief Inspector; Bob Balow (6); Debbie Gitzlaff (1); Nancy Haldeman (10); Pat Bonn (15); Ruth Schmidt (10) and Chief Inspector