HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut's old, mechanical voting machines will soon give way to modern technology.

The old machines will be replace by a $15.7 million voting system with an optical scan system. Voters will mark a paper ballot and place it in the scanner.

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Each of Connecticut's 767 voting districts is expected to receive the device by November 2007. The districts will also receive a special phone and fax unit for voters with disabilities.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hogan reported that the decision to go with the system took two years. Municipalities tested a variety of electronic and paper ballot machines.

"The principles of security, accessibility and reliability guided our decision making," said Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz.

The town of Old Lyme has been using the optical scan system for four years.

"It's fast, it's less expensive. When we went from lever to this, we did away with our machine mechanics," said Pat McCarthy, the registrar of voting in Old Lyme.

The system will be paid for with federal funds and 11 cities and towns are currently using the system.

Stay with WFSB.com and Channel 3 Eyewitness News for the latest political updates.