Pennsylvania has contracted Civix to implement a comprehensive election management system aimed at enhancing election security and accuracy. This system will replace the outdated SURE and ENR systems and is expected to be fully operational by 2028. The initiative aligns with similar modernization efforts in other states and seeks to improve voter engagement and transparency.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has engaged Civix to implement a modern election management system, as announced by Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt. This comprehensive system aims to enhance election accuracy and security while improving voter registration and ballot tracking. The updated system will be rolled out in phases over the next few years, culminating by 2028.
By contracting with Civix, Pennsylvania aligns itself with other states like Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Texas, and Connecticut that have embarked on similar updates. “The Shapiro Administration prioritized procuring this contract as part of its continuing commitment to secure elections,” Schmidt remarked. He emphasized that a streamlined election management system is essential for the state’s 67 county boards of elections and meets voter expectations.
Pennsylvania has utilized the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors (SURE) system since 2003, which facilitates voter registration management across all counties. Schmidt noted the SURE system has received extensive upgrades over the years, stating, “It has served the voters of Pennsylvania well and will continue to do so for a bit longer, until Civix customizes our new system.”
The new Civix system will replace the existing SURE and the Election Night Reporting (ENR) systems, along with campaign finance and lobbying registration and reporting features. A public portal will enable Pennsylvania residents to access support and information about registered voters and upcoming elections, while an efficient reporting mechanism will provide timely unofficial election results each election night.
Moreover, Civix will integrate the current campaign finance platform, which logs reports filed by candidates and political committees. Civix’s selection followed a competitive bidding process, wherein seven bids were evaluated. A team comprising elections staff, county officials, and IT experts ultimately chose Civix to implement the proposed system.
Phillip Braithwaite, CEO of Civix, expressed pride in the partnership with Pennsylvania, stating, “Civix is proud to partner with Pennsylvania to implement a scalable, secure, and adaptable system that meets the evolving needs of voters, election officials, and the public.” He acknowledged the growing recognition among states to modernize election systems and commended Pennsylvania for adopting this innovative approach.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has made a significant advancement in its electoral processes by selecting Civix to implement a modern election management system. This initiative aims to enhance security, accuracy, and voter engagement, aligning with efforts seen in other states. As the implementation progresses, the transition from the SURE and ENR systems is expected to facilitate improved election administration and public transparency.
Original Source: www.thedigitalcourier.com
