Logo courtesy of Butte County

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Butte County is beginning to replace aging equipment used to count ballots, approving the purchase of two new tabulators as election officials prepare for the Nov. 3 general election.

The Butte County Board of Supervisors approved a $56,000 budget amendment and capital asset purchase on Aug. 11 for the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. The action was included on the Board’s consent agenda.

County officials said $42,000 will be covered through a new state grant reimbursement, accounting for 75% of the purchase. The remaining $14,000 will come from the Clerk-Recorder’s existing 2026-27 budget.

The Clerk-Recorder’s Office currently has four ballot tabulators purchased in 2019. County officials said the machines have been used to conduct 12 elections and are nearing the end of their service life.

The county is planning to replace the equipment to maintain reliable election operations. The machines approved Aug. 11 are intended to meet the county’s needs for future elections.

The upcoming statewide general election will also include local races and measures submitted by cities, school districts and other local jurisdictions.

The Clerk-Recorder’s Office is responsible for administering elections throughout Butte County, including processing and counting ballots and reporting election results. With the state grant covering three-quarters of the cost, most of the expense of beginning the equipment replacement will not come from the county’s existing election budget.

The purchase required a four-fifths vote because it included a budget amendment and authorization for a capital asset purchase.