Gone is the hodgepodge of different voting systems across the state.

In its place is voters across the state will find a new touch-screen voting system - bringing Wisconsin voters into the digital age.

The new touch-screen voting system is easy to operate, according to Jamie Feuerhelm, Pierce County clerk.

"Voters need to be patient and take a few seconds to read the instructions; the machines are very self-descriptive," Feuerhelm said.

He added that the machines make it almost impossible for voters to make a mistake.

"The machine tells you if you are doing something wrong," Feuerhelm said.

Feuerhelm noted that the machines also produce a paper ballot for each voter that automatically goes into a locked ballot box.

"If a voter wants a paper ballot they need to ask the poll worker for one. There is a procedure for the machine to produce a ballot," Feuerhelm said.

He added that poll workers can assist voters to a limited extent.

Voting hours are also now standard across America's Dairyland. All polls will be open today from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Another change voters will see is if they have not yet registered. Voters can still register at the polls, but they must provide some sort of photo identification.

"Voters should bring their driver's license with them," Feuerhelm said.

If the voter does not have a driver's license they will need to bring some type of proof of residence such as a water bill along with some type of photo identification.

For voters who have pre-registered Feuerhelm said it will be up to the poll worker as to whether or not they will need to show photo identification.

However, once registered voters won't have to register again says Feuerhelm, because of a new Statewide Voter Registration System database.

The SVRS database is designed to help poll workers to verify that a voter has not already voted in another location in the state. It is also hoped that the database will prevent felons from voting, according to State Election Board officials.

Western Wisconsin residents can get information on poll locations, new voting rules, candidate information and more on the RiverTown Vote 2006 Information Center located online at www.rivertowns.net/vote2006 or simply click the Vote 2006 button on any of the RiverTown Newspaper Group Web sites.

Brady Bautch is the Internet Publisher for the RiverTown Newspaper Group. He can be contacted at internet@rivertowns.net.