2006 News

November 3 , 2006

The Road to Election Day Ends Just Around the Corner
Aggressive BUCKS VOTES Campaign Ensures Prepared Voters

Two seasons ago, Bucks Countians began learning about Bucks Votes, now a highly successful, comprehensive public education campaign, aimed at familiarizing voters with the county’s new Danaher electronic voting machines. Since the May primary, the Bucks County commissioners have made educating the public a top priority. To date, the Bucks Votes program has reached out to hundreds of thousands of voters in every corner of the county through a variety of programs.

Over 200 hands-on demonstrations have been extremely popular at sites all over Bucks County, where voters have been able to try out the new machines. Voters also learned to operate the new machines by visiting the county website's (Voter Education) Bucks Votes. There, they find a step-by-step brochure, as well as an informational video demonstrating each step. The video can also be found on Comcast On Demand, under “Get Local”, 24 hours a day, as well as on municipal public access channels and schools. Over 250,000 brochures have been distributed throughout the county, and posters have become a staple at schools, libraries and municipal buildings. Advertisements in daily and weekly papers will also remind citizens how to vote, as well as special inserts that will appear in papers this weekend, reaching over 150,000 households throughout the county.

Terry Savage, program manager for Bucks Votes, spearheaded the effort, which included a force of close to 60 trainers who were dedicated to teaching residents how to use the electronic machines. Additionally, Deena Dean, Board of Elections director, leads a team of over 1,000 election officials, providing 30-plus intensive training sessions, all in an effort to ensure proficiency among those responsible for the smooth operation of the election.

“Not only are our voters prepared to vote this Tuesday,” noted Chief Operating Officer Dave Sanko, “but our election team is ready to go, and we expect a flawless election. We believe our goal of reaching every household has been achieved.”

The Bucks County commissioners wish to thank the League of Women Voters, Comcast, ING Newspapers, and the Calkins Group for their spirit of partnership in the Bucks Votes initiative. When asked what is foremost on the chairman’s mind at this juncture, Jim Cawley urged citizens, simply, “Vote!”