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Indianapolis, IN - Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita today distributed election reform money to Adams County. This was part of the latest round of funding Rokita's office is giving to counties from the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002.

Adams County received $286,808 in federal and state money which was distributed by the Secretary of State's office. This latest round of reimbursements brings to $29.9 million the total distributed under HAVA to Indiana counties since Rokita's office began distributing funds to help pay for voting equipment upgrades resulting from the required phase-out of lever and punch card voting machines.

Rokita personally met with Adams County Clerk Nanette Nidlinger to reimburse the county for the new Microvote Infinity voting machines that will allow all of Adams County's approximately 20,000 voters in all 30 election precincts to vote without assistance beginning with the 2006 May Primary Election. Adams County will switch from punch card balloting.

"Secretary Rokita's office has been extremely helpful in this long process," said Nidlinger. "We feel fortunate to be able to move to a more technologically advanced voting system with funding from the state and federal government."

"It is great to see federal and state money being put to good use to help ensure fair and efficient elections for Hoosiers," Rokita said. "Adams County can now focus on other election matters."

Congress passed HAVA in response to issues in various parts of the country during the 2000 Presidential Election. HAVA requires states and counties to replace all punch card and lever machine voting systems by January 1, 2006. A number of Indiana counties will be eligible for additional funding.