Missouri is receiving a big grant from the federal government to upgrade its elections operations. A check for $45-Million will be coming from the federal Election Assistance Commission. Spence Jackson with the Secretary of State’s office says the current data base has become outdated, because the state hasn’t been able to keep up with technology. The statewide database of eligible voters will guard against the election abuse that arose in St. Louis during the general election in 2000 when poll workers had trouble determining who were eligible voters. Federal money will also help pay for at least one touchscreen voting machine equipped for disabled voters in every polling place. Money given earlier will help counties replace punch-card balloting. But Jackson says only four or five counties have shown interest. Missouri is getting $62-Million total in election aid as part of the federal government’s $2.3-Billion distributed through the federal Help America Vote Act.
