Montgomery County to use new optical scanner voting machines

CHRISTIANSBURG (WSLS) - Many Montgomery County voters will see new technology at the polls Tuesday.  

Instead of touch screen instruments, voters at 17 precincts will use optical scanners.  These machines read paper ballots, then print out results at the end of the night.  

Montgomery County is investing almost half a million dollars over a three-year period to make this switch.  

Leaders are hoping by  next year, all 25 precincts in Montgomery County will be equipped with the optical scanners.