At the Jan. 4 regular meeting, the Independence Township board of trustees passed a resolution enabling the municipality to receive grant funding for new voting machines.
Due to recent federal legislation, known as the Help America Vote Act, all municipalities will be receiving new voting machines. The machines are more user friendly for those with disabilities.
Independence Twp. Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen attended a presentation on Jan. 7 where clerks from across the county voted on the model and brand of machine they wanted. The monies received from the federal grants will assist in paying for the new equipment.
VanderVeen said she is uncertain at this time how much the new equipment will cost the township outside of the grant funding, but she does anticipate purchasing at least one spare machine in addition to those received for each precinct.