A group of election officials from across Tennessee held detailed discussions this week about how to properly conduct elections using paper ballots, state officials said.

Representatives from Hamilton County explained their procedures for using optical scan voting equipment during a two-day meeting of the state Division of Elections’ paper ballot rules committee in Nashville.

Committee members also had detailed discussions about the proper chain of custody for ballots before, during and after elections.

The Division of Elections appointed the committee last month to make recommendations about comprehensive rules that will govern the use of paper ballots in elections statewide.

Hamilton is one of only two Tennessee counties currently using optical scan voting equipment in elections.

However, the Tennessee Voter Confidence Act requires all 95 counties in the state to use paper ballots and optical scan voting equipment by the November 2010 elections.

“Coming into compliance with this act does create a number of challenges, including establishing comprehensive rules for the use of paper ballots,” Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins said. “The Division of Elections is preparing county election officials for this transition.”

The Division of Elections sent out e-mails to county election officials throughout the state, inviting them to apply to serve on the committee. Those interested in serving were given until Sept. 10 to respond. Mr. Goins and Joe Enoch of the Tennessee Association of County Election Officials then selected the committee members from that pool of applicants.

Committee members include: Charles Holiway, representing Roane County; Donna Yates, representing Warren County; Scott Allen and Steve Gaston, representing Hamilton County; Kris Williams, representing McMinn County; Jane Heathcott, representing Dyer County; Linda Burnett, representing Tipton County; Sheila Allen, representing Lincoln County; Kim Buckley, representing Madison County; Vickie Koelman, representing Montgomery County; Ray Barrett, representing Davidson County and Enoch.