AMARILLO, Texas, August 15 – Yesterday, the Potter County Commissioners Court okayed the purchase of Hart InterCivic’s Verity^®Voting system. The County’s initiative to replace its aging voting system brings voters the newest, most secure system in the industry.

“We are grateful our Commissioners acted swiftly to approve Verity,” said Melynn Huntley, Potter County Elections Administrator. “Our intention was to upgrade to a reliable new system that is easy for poll workers to operate and intuitive for voters to use. We also set requirements for ADA compliance to ensure that all voters have the accessibility features needed to vote privately and independently. In all these areas, Verity outflanked the other systems we saw during our rigorous comparison of available options.”

County officials were especially impressed with Hart’s unique controller model for centralized management of its Verity Touch direct record electronic (DRE) voting devices. With the Verity Controller central command console, poll workers will open polls, close polls, and run reports on only one machine in each polling place, rather than having to perform all these tasks on every device separately as they had to do with the previous system. Elections office staff will only need to program the Controllers, one for each polling place, rather than every single voting device used in the election as they did before; this will greatly reduce time and effort spent in the warehouse. Additionally, the County will be able to report results much more quickly than in the past.

“Verity is ideal for the way we conduct elections in Potter County,” said Huntley. “We use Vote Centers, so we need to use an electronic system. Life will be so much easier for our poll workers with Verity. The polling place units are small and lightweight, and it’s simple to remove the tablet for at-the-curb voting.  It is very easy for voters, too, especially since our county seat, Amarillo, spans both Potter and Randall counties. Now all our voters will use the same system.”

“Hart InterCivic has an excellent reputation for customer service,” Huntley continued. “Our neighboring county, Randall, is a longtime Hart customer and has nothing but good to say about the company.”

“Potter County is a welcome addition to the growing Hart and Verity family,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “Customers who come to us from other vendors often express surprise and delight at the efficiencies Verity provides and at the level of service our team delivers. We look forward to a long, successful partnership with the County.”

Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system in mid-December, 17 Texas counties have purchased the state-of-the-art system. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.

Braithwaite expects more Texas announcements in the coming weeks.

For more information about the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/verityoverview.

JACKSBORO, Texas, July 27, 2017— Election technology in Jack County is taking a giant step forward thanks to County Commissioners’ approval of Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting, an all-new system designed to be flexible, easy to use and secure. Initially motivated to improve the technology and process for voter check-in at the polling place, County Clerk Vanessa James recommended a complete technology refresh. The purchase of Verity, along with new electronic poll books and Hart’s innovative AutoBallot kit, will streamline check-in and automate ballot assignment. For voters, this means shorter lines and the assurance of receiving the correct ballot.

“Our poll books were reaching the end of their lifetime. Using Verity with our new poll books, we can cut down on the chance of human error. As voters sign in, we’ll get an individual bar code to scan and make sure they have the right ballot. What a relief,” she said. “Our commissioners agreed and acted quickly.”

Jack County has about 5,000 registered voters and is one of the earliest Hart voting system partners in Texas. With this upgrade, they join a growing number of jurisdictions acting now to prepare for November’s election by replacing aging equipment during the summer.

“We have worked with Jack County since 2005, and we appreciate their trust in Hart. Verity is a great solution for meeting stakeholders’ needs now and in the future. We are committed to the County’s successful adoption of their new system,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of election experience. “We will be in Jack County soon to help with training and installation. Voters and poll workers will love Verity’s modern approach.”

Looking forward to Verity’s up-to-date touchscreen voting tablet, James said, “Voters expect the voting tablets to work like their iPhone or iPad. I think voting will go faster because Verity is so easy to use.”

The system’s lightweight, removable tablet and an array of accessibility features accommodate all voters, including those with disabilities. Voters can switch between available ballot languages at any point in the voting process, adjust the font size and/or contrast on the screen, and control both the speed and the volume of the audio if they are using the headphones.

On election night, Verity allows officials to publish results faster, because poll workers close polls on all voting terminals at once and report consolidated totals in just one step; there is no need to collect votes from every device separately. This efficiency is thanks to Hart’s unique “controller” model, which provides centralized management of polling place devices.

The County’s confidence in Hart made the decision to transition to the new system easy, James added. “Hart customer service is great. They have a reputation. When I meet other election officials, those with Hart are happy. Those without Hart, want Hart.”

Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system in mid-December, 16 Texas counties have purchased the state-of-the-art system. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.

Braithwaite expects more Texas announcements in the coming weeks.

Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.

CAMERON, Texas, July 26, 2017— Milam County has joined a growing number of Texas jurisdictions replacing aging voting equipment this summer, allowing plenty of time for training and implementation before the Nov. 7 constitutional election. Milam County Commissioners voted to purchase Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting, an all-new system that impressed staff with demonstrations at election seminars.

“We knew it was time to study replacements. and when my assistants saw Verity at a recent seminar, they came back saying we need to look hard at what Hart has come up with,” said County Clerk Barbara Vansa. “The decision was easier because Hart’s customer service is awesome. We’ve been so pleased with our relationship since 2005. Hart has earned our confidence.”

Vansa is especially looking forward to the Verity features for voters who require assistance. The touchscreen tablet includes a portable option that makes voting more convenient for voters with mobility issues, allowing them to vote curbside while preserving their privacy.

Verity also includes accessibility features to allow independent voting by all, more innovations that Vansa praised. Voters can switch between available ballot languages at any point in the voting process, adjust the font size and/or contrast on the screen, and control both the speed and the volume of the audio if they are using Verity’s headphones.

The new touchscreen tablet is easy for voters to use and for poll workers to learn. “Our new equipment is already in house, and just the thought of new equipment is exciting. My election clerks will attend the Texas Secretary of State Election Law Seminar next week and meet with Hart to schedule training,” Vansa said.

“Milam County is moving forward at the right time, and we appreciate their confidence in Hart,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of election experience. “We are pleased to provide the best election system available for Milam County voters.”

Verity is the only all-new, federally-certified system that provides an integrated platform for all voting types. Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system in mid-December, 16 Texas counties have purchased the state-of-the-art system. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.

Other Texas jurisdictions are considering Verity purchases, and Braithwaite expects more Texas announcements in the coming weeks. Vansa has a few words of advice for those thinking about Verity: “Go for it! We’ve been so happy with Hart.”

Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.

CANYON, Texas, July 13 – A bright idea three years ago is paying off in Randall County, where elections will soon be handled by the most advanced voting technology certified in Texas, Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system. In 2014, Verity was not yet available, but Elections Administrator Shannon Lackey told county commissioners that it was time to figure out a plan for replacing aging voting equipment.

Randall County’s forward-looking officials set up a savings fund with a three-year timeline. As the County saved money, Verity was launched and certified, and Lackey prepared for change. On June 27, commissioners approved the Verity purchase, adding Randall County to a growing number of Texas jurisdictions thoughtfully choosing technology backed by a trusted Texas partner, Hart InterCivic.

“Hart customer service is second to none,” said Lackey, who has worked in the elections office since Hart’s previous system was installed in the Panhandle county in early 2006.

“Our commissioners were proactive – they set up a savings fund for a replacement. I’ve got to thank them for that,” she said after the 5-0 vote for Verity. “The timing is perfect.”

Lackey is looking forward to using Verity’s updated technology. The system’s easy-to-use touchscreen is familiar to voters, and a lightweight, removable tablet plus an array of accessibility features accommodate all voters, including those with disabilities.

“It is important for a Vote Center county to be 100 percent electronic,” Lackey added. With 85,000 registered voters, Randall County has used convenient and popular Vote Centers since 2013. Verity, which also handles paper ballots for absentee voting, is the only second generation digital scanning technology certified in Texas. Once election workers learn ballot programming and production, voter education on the new system will begin, Lackey said. “So far, all I’ve heard is ‘awesome,’” she added.

Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of Hart InterCivic’s Verity Voting system in mid-December, 16 Texas counties have purchased the state-of-the-art system. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous jurisdictions throughout the U.S.

“We welcome Randall County to the rapidly growing Verity family in Texas. It is gratifying to see counties’ enthusiastic response to Verity’s leading-edge technology in our home state.” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of election experience.

“Verity is the logical, trustworthy choice for Texas jurisdictions,” Braithwaite said. “It is a versatile election system with state-of-the-art hardware and software designed in Austin and based on input from officials across the state, as well as other election experts nationwide.”

Hart’s deep election background and strong reputation for customer care built a decade of trust in Randall County. “Anyone who hasn’t worked with Hart is missing out. The equipment sells itself, and if there are ever needs or problems, help is just a call away,” Lackey confirmed. “We’ll use it next November, and my staff is very excited.”

For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/verityoverview.

ANGLETON, Texas, July 6, 2017— Brazoria County Commissioners voted June 27 to replace aging election technology with Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting, an all-new system  designed to be flexible, easy to use and transparent. Confidence in the reliability of Hart’s current products and service supported the action.

“Hart is a pleasure to work with. The business relationship and the success we have had with existing machines made us confident in recommending the new Verity system to our commissioners,” said County Clerk Joyce Hudman, who proposed the upgrade to county officials. “We planted a seed a few years back that an upgrade would be necessary. I told them now is the right time, and they agreed.”

“Not only did we want to stick with a vendor that stands behind its customers, but the ease and reliability of the new system is exciting. I am looking forward to the efficiencies of Poll Pad and Verity – from the poll books to the check-in process to the voting machines,” she added.

“We appreciate Brazoria County’s trust in Hart and applaud their move to Verity. We’ve worked with the County since 2005, and their continued confidence is rewarding to us,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of election experience. “Brazoria County voters will benefit from this forward-looking decision.”

The flexible, electronic Verity system will support the county’s popular and convenient Vote Centers serving about 190,000 registered voters. The new touchscreen tablet is easy for voters to use and for poll workers to learn. “Our staff is so excited. They’ve done their homework and are ready for training,” Hudman said, adding that the lightweight and compact equipment will be easier for workers to handle and transport.

Hudman’s office will roll out voter education with outreach to civic groups later in the summer and plans social media support to show and tell citizens about the new system before the November Constitutional Amendment election.

Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system in mid-December, 16 Texas counties have purchased the state-of-the-art system. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.

Braithwaite expects more Texas announcements in the coming weeks.

Hudman, who has been with the Brazoria County clerk’s office for 20 years, urges other counties considering an upgrade to take action now, “Don’t wait until it is too late. Be proactive.”

More about Verity:

Verity is the only all-new, federally-certified system that provides an integrated platform for all voting types.

For jurisdictions that vote electronically, like Brazoria County, Hart’s direct record electronic (DRE) voting technology offers unique benefits. Like Hart’s legacy system, Verity uses a centralized approach to managing the voting devices in the polling places. A single console (Verity Controller) monitors and controls as many as 12 voting terminals, and allows poll workers to assign ballot styles remotely. An available integration with an electronic poll book automates this process, thus reducing the chances for error.

On election night, Verity allows officials to publish results faster, because poll workers close polls on all voting terminals at once and report consolidated totals in just one step; there is no need to collect votes from every device separately.

The system’s easy-to-use touchscreen is familiar to voters and a lightweight, removable tablet and an array of accessibility features accommodate all voters, including those with disabilities.

Voters can switch between available ballot languages at any point in the voting process, adjust the font size and/or contrast on the screen, and control both the speed and the volume of the audio if they are using the headphones.

Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.