HUNTINGTON, NY – February 9, 2026
Voters Get a First Look at Suffolk County’s New Voting Machines
Suffolk County has new voting machines for the first time in over ten years. Residents recently had the opportunity to view and test the machines and ask any questions during a demonstration at Huntington Town Hall, led by instructors from the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
While some voters may feel hesitant about the change, the new system proved to be highly user-friendly and accessible, even for those who are not “tech savvy”.
Step-by-Step Guide to the New Voting Process
The full voting process, from start to finish, is demonstrated in the accompanying video. Below is a step-by-step overview of how the new machines operate.
A special Thank You to Kandice Allgauer from the Suffolk County Board of Elections for taking us through the process so we can share it with all of you.
How the Voting Process Works
Check-in: Voters sign in on an iPad, as in previous elections, and receive a paper ballot.
Insert Ballot: The ballot is inserted into the machine with the notch facing up. Touchscreen
Voting: Voters select their language (English or Spanish), adjust font size, and follow on-screen instructions.
Casting Votes: The system prevents over-voting by disregarding the first one if you chooose another and alerts voters if a selection is missed. Write-in candidates can be typed directly on the screen.
Propositions: Full text can be enlarged for easier reading.
Casting the Ballot
After reviewing and confirming their choices, voters print the ballot. The printed paper ballot shows all selections clearly and can be removed for review. Once satisfied, the voter reinserts the ballot and selects “Cast Your Ballot.” The system will prompt for confirmation one final time, after which the screen displays “I Voted.”
Paper ballots are securely collected from the machines after every 400 votes and transported to Election Headquarters for counting.
Assistance will be available at polling locations on Election Day, and voters may bring a family member for help if needed.
Upcoming Opportunity to See the Machines in Action
The Suffolk County Board of Elections will host another live demonstration for Huntington residents at Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY on Monday, February 26, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Photography, Videography and Video Editing by Dana E. Richter
