NATCHEZ &8212; With general elections fast approaching, new poll workers learned Tuesday how to operate the new electronic voting machines.

The machines were used at the Democratic primaries earlier this year, but this is the first general election in which they will be used.

Several small groups of volunteers received instructions Monday and Tuesday on how to operate the machines.

Jacqulyn Williams said Tuesday she had worked polls before, including the primaries.

&8220;I taught social studies, so I guess my interest is because of that,&8221; Williams said. &8220;The machines are very different. There are a lot more steps, so I came here to refresh myself.&8221;

The machines require poll workers to verify there are no votes on the machine before the elections, lock memory cards in their compartments and combine electronic election data onto one card, among other duties.

Ruby N. West had also worked the polls before but never using the new machines.

&8220;I had a little time on my hands, I guess, since I&8217;m retired. I try to do community service,&8221; West said.

Daisy Watson has helped on voting day, too, and she said she liked the social aspect.

&8220;I just enjoy it,&8221; Watson said. &8220;You get to see a lot of people when you work the polls you don&8217;t see any other time.&8221;

As for the new voting machines, &8220;It&8217;s going to be different,&8221; Watson said. &8220;It&8217;ll be good, I think.&8221;

Commissioner Mitch Ballard said they had had success with the electronic voting machines in the past.

&8220;The public seems receptive to the new machines,&8221; Ballard said. &8220;From age 18 to 88, they all seem to receive them fairly well.&8221;

Ballard said the turnout for the upcoming general election would probably be fairly low, with no real high-profile races on the ballot.

He said he saw this as an opportunity for voters to take their time to get used to the new machines.

Election Commissioner Larry Gardner said he thought the machines would be an improvement, too, and thought the upcoming election would be a good test run.

&8220;Next year&8217;s ballot will be larger and more complex,&8221; Gardner said. &8220;It makes sense to take the opportunity to try it now, and we encourage people to do so.&8221;

Anyone wishing to learn about the new machines can practice on an example machine in the circuit clerk&8217;s office, Ballard said.