By Jessica Kenley

COUDERSPORT, Pa. — Members of the Potter County Election Board convened an emergency meeting this week to discuss the potential implementation of a “hybrid” voting system aimed at expanding voter accessibility and choice.

The proposed system would allow voters to choose between traditional paper ballots and electronic voting machines, rather than requiring all voters to use a single method.

According to a Charlie Brown, Voter Registration/Elections Director for Potter County, who was present at the meeting, the discussion was prompted in part by feedback from voters who have experienced difficulty using touchscreen voting machines.

“There are some individuals that maybe they’re just having difficulties in general with making selections on the screen,” she said. “We want to provide an option… some voters prefer paper, and some prefer the screen.”

The county currently uses machines provided by Election Systems & Software (ES&S), a widely used election technology vendor. While Dennis Goodenough, a Counselman for the Coudersport Borough Council, noted that while machines can be recalibrated when issues arise, he emphasized that the goal is not to replace existing systems, but to supplement them.

“This is about giving voters a choice—an equal opportunity to cast their ballot in the method they prefer,” Goodenough added.

The concept of hybrid voting is not new. Members of the Board referenced counties such as Northumberland County and Centre County, which have already implemented similar systems. In those locations, early data suggests that while most voters continued to use machines, a notable portion opted for paper ballots.

“They found that more voters were actually going to the machine itself,” the official said, “but they still had a significant number that wanted to vote on paper.”

Local election officials acknowledged that voter preferences may vary depending on the type of election and the demographics of those participating. Seniors and individuals less comfortable with technology were cited as groups that may benefit from additional options.

The emergency meeting also touched on logistical considerations, including staffing at polling locations and compliance with election regulations. One issue raised was whether individuals whose names appear on the ballot can serve as poll workers, even in different precincts—something officials said would require further legal clarification.

Hybrid voting was then voted on, and unanimously approved.

As officials continue to evaluate the feasibility of hybrid voting, they say community feedback will remain a key factor in shaping how elections are conducted in Potter County moving forward.