"ExpressVote, a ballot marking system that reduces waiting time and increases accuracy, was overwhelmingly popular in the presidential election: 336,192 of the county's early voters had it to record their choices on paper cards they used to cast their ballots. Just 8,460 people opted to fill in ovals themselves on paper ballots. Weeks earlier, President Donald Trump used the system to cast his early vote in the 2024 Florida primary. The Palm Beach resident - and most prominent national critic of the way voting is run in the U.S. - didn't raise any objections. As he left the early voting center, Trump praised poll workers for doing a "fantastic job.""
"Now, in an era of Trump-fueled distrust in the way elections are run, especially on the political right, what state Sen. Tina Polsky termed conspiracy theories have developed around the ExpressVote system. Republicans who control the Florida Legislature are advancing bills that would scale back its use in three Florida counties: Palm Beach, Duval and Lee. If the provision becomes law, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link warned it will result in longer wait times at early voting centers."
"Another potential impact of the move from Tallahassee: Palm Beach County would end up with 400 to 500 mothballed ExpressVote devices. County taxpayers spent $3,910 each the last time it bought them, Link said. Some of the county's inventory of about 1,000 would still be used for early and Election Day voting by people with disabilities."
ExpressVote ballot-marking systems were used by 336,192 early voters in Palm Beach County in the presidential election, while just 8,460 voters filled ovals by hand. President Donald Trump used ExpressVote to cast an early vote and praised poll workers. Republican lawmakers in the Florida Legislature are advancing provisions that would scale back ExpressVote use in Palm Beach, Duval and Lee counties, citing conspiracy-driven distrust. Palm Beach elections officials warn the change would increase early-voting wait times, leave 400–500 devices mothballed after taxpayers paid about $3,910 each, and retain machines only for voters with disabilities.
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