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Indianapolis, IN - Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita today distributed election reform money to Vigo 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.

Vigo County received $463,488 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 Vigo County Clerk Patricia Mansard to reimburse the county for the new ES&S touch screen voting machines that will allow all of Vigo County's approximately 78,000 voters in all 87 election precincts to vote without assistance beginning with the 2006 May Primary Election. Vigo County is augmenting each precinct's optical scan machines with touch screen machines in order to meet the HAVA accessibility requirements.

"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. "Vigo 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.