County to purchase new OmniBallot machines ahead of 2026 elections

By Anna Jauhola
During the regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, the Kittson County Commissioners approved a quote to purchase new voting equipment ahead of the 2026 elections.
CFO Shirley Swenson, who also heads up the election processes, presented a quote from SeaChange Election Services for $16,268 for four OmniBallot machines.
“This is going to replace our Automarks,” Swenson said. “And we can also use these for ballots on demand. If we run out of printed ballots, we can print more right here with this machine.”
A representative from SeaChange visited Kittson County that week to demonstrate the OmniBallot machines. She added that 78 out of Minnesota’s 87 counties are using this particular balloting system. Automarks are the old machines used by people who have disabilities and need assistance when voting. During each election, the in-person polling places have this type of machine – Hallock and Karlstad each have one and there are two set up at the Courthouse.
These four OmniBallot machines will serve the same purpose, but also allow election judges to print out blank ballots, should they run out of the ones provided.
“I think we talked about election integrity and security, and looking at other counties … it’s not like we’re going to be floating out there alone,” said Aimee Sugden, county administrator. “There’ll be plenty of support.”
Swenson noted this price is being offered as a sale during April, otherwise the cost would have been north of $22,000.
The elections budget for 2026 is set at $25,000, Swenson said.
There will be a primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 11 and the General Election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3. For more information about this year’s elections, visit https://www.sos.mn.gov/election-administration-campaigns.

To read the whole story, see the May 6, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise