Voting Machines Becoming Outdated

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota's secretary of state says there's a growing risk that voting machines at polling places across the state will fail or crash because of their age.

And that could result in lost votes or long lines at the polls.

Secretary Steve Simon says he's heard from local election officials that the machines are wearing out. Simon says most communities use electronic election equipment that's at least 10 years old and getting close to the end of its usefulness.

Replacement costs statewide are estimated at $28 million for two main pieces of equipment at polling places - the machines that take in the voter's ballots and assisted-voting equipment for people with disabilities.

Simon says smaller, rural counties in Minnesota don't have the money to upgrade their equipment.