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Mention the phrase paper trail and negative connotations develop.

However, in the voting process, paper trails can dissipate fear of fraud and deceit. The lack of definitive vote accounts fuels assertions that Democrats stole the 2020 election from President Donald Trump.

Rest easy Mercer County voters as County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello assures a safe and secure voting process.

Sollami-Covello considers the voting process “safer than ever” as Nov. 8 municipal elections near.

“We are among several of New Jersey’s leading Counties when it comes to election safety and efficiency,” notes

Covello, who advocated for a verifiable, auditable paper trail for county voters. In 2021, Mercer County purchased optical scan voting machines that indeed, have this verified paper trail capability.

Sollami-Covello said input of public participants, especially Irene Goldman and Stephanie Harris of the Voter Integrity Task Force, advanced Mercer County’s decision on choosing a “paper trail” voting system that would “ensure confidence in the accuracy and integrity of Mercer County election results.

“By updating our voting systems to protect us from computer interference by both domestic and foreign actors, Mercer County can ensure the results reported on election night are accurate and transparent,” she notes.

According to the Clerk, votes are cast on paper with a computer backup.

Mercer County purchased the Dominion ICP machines and tabulators. They use advanced optical scanning technology, considered to be the safest way to vote among voter safety experts because while computers may be hacked, paper cannot.

After you cast your vote on a paper ballot and you scan it into the tabulator, the vote is recorded both on computer and on paper. The paper is then dropped into a bin which can be accessed if there is a question about the outcome of the election.

Voters do not walk away with a paper receipt, but according to Sollami-Covello “can rest assured there is a verified back-up for your vote.”

The County also purchased electronic poll books manufactured by Tenex. These highly advanced E-Poll books share communication, alerting poll workers if someone attempts to vote twice, or if someone has already received a vote by mail ballot.

No doubt, verified, auditable paper trails for all election results safeguard our democracy and election process.

“I believe the only way to strengthen our democracy is to make sure we can all participate in it, and that the people have trust in the voting results and process,” Sollami-Covello said.

The County Clerk’s office posts and records Election Results while working closely with the County’s other election offices to make the Mercer voting experience a positive one.

Find information regarding the new voting machines, drop boxes, early voting sites and more at Mercervotes@mercercounty.org or visit  https://www.mercercounty.org/government/county-clerk/elections.

Of course, potential voter fraud represents a serious matter predominantly for those engaged in the political process. Voters want assurances that their votes were counted.

Reasons exist for Trenton’s paltry 22-percent voter participation rate in 2018 — disillusionment, apathy and failure by elected officials to perform professionally and successfully disengages voters.

Still, finding the right representation can help cultivate positive change. The election of competent government officials can improve quality of life. In the big picture that’s all that really matters.

Still, good government begins with individuals. Considering that most elected officials have other jobs underscores reasons why individuals must play a role in building strong communities.

So, get in the game. Here’s info for voters from the Mercer County Clerk’s office.

All registered voters can now cast their ballot in person, using a voting machine, during a nine-day period prior to Election Day. You can choose to vote when it’s most convenient for your schedule.

No matter where you live, you can vote your specific ballot at any of Mercer County’s designated in-person early voting locations, from October 29, 2022- November 6, 2022.

There are six early voting sites located throughout the County. The locations are as follows:

Mercer County Library – Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor.

Mercer County Office Park – 1440 Parkside Ave, Ewing.

Colonial Firehouse Company, 801 Kuser Road, Hamilton.

Mercer County Library – Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike (at Darrah Lane), Lawrence.

Pennington Fire Company, 120 Broemel Place, Pennington.

Trenton Firehouse Headquarters, 244 Perry Street, Trenton.

Early Voting – Saturday, October 29, 2022 through Sunday, November 6, 2022.Open Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him atLAParker@Trentonian.com

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