State Election Board

PROJECT PURPOSE

Oklahoma?s current statewide voting system was manufactured by Hart InterCivic, a Texas-based company. When purchased, this system was state-of-the-art, but it is now a decade old. Bids for Oklahoma?s current voting system were sought in 2010, and the voting system was used for the first time beginning in 2012. The 2022 state and federal elections will be the sixth General Election cycle using Oklahoma?s Hart Voting System. Although it remains secure and accurate, the voting system is aging. To ensure that Oklahoma remains a leader in conducting secure and accurate elections, the current voting system should be replaced with a more modern system within the next few years. In 2017, election systems were declared "critical infrastructure" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A new voting system would utilize the latest technology, enhancing the security, efficiency, and accessibility of Oklahoma?s voting system. As Oklahoma continues recovers from its recent downturn in state revenues, ARPA funds can be used to ensure that sufficient public funds are available to purchase and install a new voting system.

EVIDENCE

The Oklahoma Legislature has authorized (via 26 O.S. § 21-101) the Secretary of the State Election Board to "purchase equipment for and implement a unitary, unified, integrated system of election administration for the State of Oklahoma that includes an electronic data processing system for maintenance of voter registration records, certification of election results and other election-related applications, and the installation of electronic, optical scanning voting devices compatible with the same system in every precinct polling place."

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

A new statewide voting system would benefit all Oklahoma voters, including those from vulnerable populations, through the following improvements: - Precinct-based ballot scanners - Absentee ballot scanners for mail and in-person absentee voting - Electronic pollbooks - Ballot-marking devices for each polling place and in-person absentee voting site to accommodate private and independent voting for persons with disabilities - Computer hardware and software for the State Election Board and each of the 77 county election boards - Licensing, support and training - Warranties and maintenance contracts

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Benefits of a new voting system may include: - Utilizing the latest election technology, computer hardware and software - Enhancing cybersecurity and physical security - Adding electronic pollbooks for voter check-in - Improving accessibility for voters with disabilities - Improving post-election audits - More efficiency for election workers - Better voting experience for voters

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

The cost of a vendor's annual maintenance, licensing and warranty fees will be unknown until a contract is approved. The State Election Board's specific ongoing costs to operate and maintain a new voting system are unknown at the this time. Historically,

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Not able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma