Fast election results see few problems PDF Print E-mail
Orange County voting more efficient than in the past


By Lauren Berry

It was smooth sailing at the Orange County Board of Elections’ Hillsborough headquarters Tuesday night.

The few people located in the headquarters said they were pleased with the way the night had unfolded and that problems had been few.

Thanks to advancements in technology, officials said the process of obtaining results took hours less than in previous years. Election officials said all but two precincts had reported their results as of 8 p.m.

“This has been great,” said Chief Information Officer Todd Jones. “Using this new system is just so much quicker than in the past.”

“It is pretty amazing that half an hour after the precincts close, we have 75 percent of the vote,” said Jones.

This year election officials had precincts send results to the headquarters electronically. In previous years precincts had to phone in the results.

“The system is a success,” said Barry Garner, director of the Orange County Board of Elections. “Any problems we have seen have been more human issues.”

Garner said a back-up computer was also set up to prevent any problems.

Garner said the quicker and more efficient way of getting results has saved tax-payers money by getting officials home faster. He said in the past officials had to wait for results until 11 p.m.

Overall, Garner said the feeling at headquarters was positive because those who voted saw few problems.

“Democracy has had a good day today,” Garner said. “The citizens have spoken and chosen who they want to lead them and everyone who voted had a good experience.”