The Maryland Board of Public Works has delayed approving a $109 million voting system overhaul after advocates and state lawmakers brought up concerns around the contract’s transparency and price tag. The State Board of Elections (SBE) is seeking approval of a five-year contract with Elect ion Systems and Software (ESS) to implement a new statewide voting system, which includes ballot marking devices, scanners and tabulators. “We have a system that is currently 11 and a half years old, and we were scheduled to purchase new equipment for the 2028 election so that we can then gear up for the 2030 redistricting effort,” State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis told WYPR. Read more (and listen) at WYPR. ...read more read less