For the special, Dec. 12 election for Senate, some voters in Gardendale will see a new way to check in before they are given their ballots.

According to Poll Chief Trish Higgins, voters at the Gardendale Civic Center will be signed in using the new electronic poll books, rather than the older style printed lists.

When voters arrive, they should chose the table with the shortest line, as every table is equipped with a computer that has all the names in it, rather than being divided into groups alphabetically.

Once the voter reaches the table, poll workers will scan the bar code on the back of the Alabama driver’s license, confirm they are registered and allow the voter to “sign” the screen (much like when you renew your license or make a card purchase at the store).

The voter will then receive a ballot and be allowed to vote as usual.

For those not using a driver’s license, but another approved form of ID, it may take slightly longer for workers to look up the identification.

There will be a “trouble table” set up for those who do not show up in the system or show up as inactive. At the trouble table, inactive voters can fill out an update form and get their ballot.

The new systems will also allow poll workers to give directions to voters who are registered to vote at other locations so they can find their way to their correct polling place.

For now, the machines are just being tried out and the Gardendale Civic Center is one of the test sites. Other locations in the north Jefferson area will see the normal poll workers and poll books and will vote as usual for this election, but will likely see the electronic books at future elections.

No date has been set for a rollout of the systems to all polling locations.