Carbon County officials are preparing for an influx of mail-in ballots for the upcoming presidential election.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners ratified a purchase from Quadient USA Inc. for a high-speed letter opener to help opening mail-in and absentee ballots. The cost of the opener is $8,328, which is covered by a state grant, with an annual maintenance agreement with Postage Pros Plus in the amount of $1,367.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said the process now is very time consuming, with additional county staff having to open the two envelopes for each ballot with a pair of scissors.

“(This machine) will be a big time saver,” he said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein added that it will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes in getting through the results.