By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
On the debut episode of WKTV’s new public affairs show, “WKTV Journal In Focus”, we bring to the public a discussion with Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds, who was elected to the position in November after serving in the state legislature.
In the discussion, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels, she details what the public will notice — and not notice — about new voting machines scheduled to debut in Kent County this fall.
But, she stresses in the discussion, while the voting machine process has changed a little, the overriding importance of security of the voting system is still the most important job for her and local city clerks’ offices.
“The entire state is in the midst of transitioning to new election equipment and Kent County’s first election using the new machines will be in November,” Posthumus told WKTV in an on-air discussion. “Voters will take heart that they will continue to cast their ballot on a paper ballot that will be fed into an optical scan tabulator. The voters, I think, will not notice too shocking of a change … There will be a familiarity. … It is just more technologically advanced.
“Kent county’s voting process is absolutely secure,” she adds. “We will continue to operate our elections outside of an internet connection, which I think is very important in this age of making sure out elections are secure and safe.”
For more detailed discussion on the new voting machines, and Posthumus’ thoughts on voter security and integrity, check out “WKTV Journal In Focus”. Starting today, Tuesday, July 25, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel. The video segment featuring Posthumus is also posted on YouTube at https://youtu.be/t7SRzV1JFjY
Also on the debut episode of “WKTV Journal In Focus” are park officials from the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming talking about summer events and activities.
