Clinton County government has rolled out an aggressive effort to educate county residents about the new voting machines they’ll encounter come the Nov. 5 General Election.

Officials offered demonstrations at this past weekend’s Labor Day Regatta.

It’s been a hasty process to buy and now demonstrate the new machines.

And despite our initial opposition to new machines due to cost and other factors, we’re now convinced it was a good move.

The county bought them from Dominion Voting Systems Corp. The upgrade meets a statewide mandate from Gov. Tom Wolf.

At the time of purchase Director of Voter Registration Maria Boileau said considerations included the quality of the product, voters’ experience with the new equipment, election workers’ experience, delivery and pick up, election night reporting, future costs for warranties and licenses, additional equipment costs including privacy screens and voting booths, printing costs, supplies such as batteries and printer cartridge replacement and the recount-adjudication process.

The reversal of our opinion on the whole matter is that the new systems have a paper backup.

They are not connected to the internet.

Said Boileau upon recommending the new machines to officials, “During the review process, the 2018 Board of Elections indicated that they preferred a paper system with an ADA device at each polling place. This was the least expensive solution and one that they felt provides voters with the most confidence in the election process.

Having that sense of comfort of ease of use AND security of voting machines is everything.

Additional voter machine demonstrations are planned and so it’s again worth publishing here for voters to know:

– The Chapman Township Fire Company, 79 Park Ave., North Bend, Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m.

– Pine Creek Township Building, 31 Municipal Drive, Avis, Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 9 to 10 a.m.

– Red Eye Center, 516 Canal Street, Lock Haven, Thursday, Sept.12, from 6 to 7 p.m.

– Bald Eagle Township Building, 12 Fairpoint Road, Mill Hall, Monday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 6 p.m.

– Renovo Senior Center, 414 Fourth Street, South Renovo, Tuesday, Sept.17, from 10 a.m. to noon.

– Woodward Township Building, 85 Riverside Terrace, Lock Haven, Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m.

– Clinton County Economic Partnership Meeting, 101 E. Walnut St., second floor, Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

– Lock Haven University, Raub Hall, Campus Drive, Lock Haven, Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 23 and 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

– Farm City Festival, Clinton County Fairgrounds, 98 Racetrack Road, Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

– Gallagher Township Building, 11837 Coudersport Pike, Lock Haven, Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 6 p.m.

– Loganton Borough Building, 141 N. Mill St., Loganton, Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m.

– Dunnstable Township Building, 630 Big Plum Run Road, Lock Haven, Monday, Oct. 7, from 6 to 7 p.m.

– Wayne Township Building, 773 Pine Mountain Road, McElhattan, Monday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Voters are also encouraged to stop by the Voter Registration office during office hours at the Piper Building, 2 Piper Way, Lock Haven. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.