NORWICH – Despite having earmarked $450,000 for new voting machines, a holdup at the state level is forcing the Chenango County Board of Elections to face the possibility of paying out tens of thousands of dollars to repair its old voting machines before November’s general election.

According the Chenango Board of Elections (BOE), a handful of voting machine types are up for certification from the New York State Board of Elections this year, including the one chosen by the local board; however, the Chenango BOE’s machine of choice has yet to be certified – something that must happen before it can be used in state elections.

The Chenango County BOE will not purchase the machines until they’re certified.

The NYS BOE has a meeting slated for July 27th. With only one type of voting machine certified by the state so far, hopes are that board officials will certify Chenango County’s choice next, said Chenango Democratic Party Commissioner Carly Hendricks.

“We’re hoping it will get certified, if not on the 27th, then at the beginning of August,” said Hendricks, adding that many other counties statewide are in a similar mess. “The Democratic Commissioner Caucus has sent an email to the commissioners which is a little more terse, stressing the importance of certifying.”