AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 9 – Hart’s Verity Voting system – the only all-new system approved by the State of Michigan – is now 100 percent covered under the state’s voting system replacement fund. Counties that select Verity will receive full funding for the state-of-the-art system as well as coverage for five years of Hart’s industry-leading maintenance and support program.
County election officials across Michigan can now choose their next voting system based not just on affordability but on other important factors such as system security, ease of use and level of service and support. With Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s August 2018 deadline, Michigan jurisdictions are moving quickly to replace aging equipment.
“Hart is committed to bringing the latest election technology to the State of Michigan,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “We applaud Michigan’s investment in its voting system infrastructure and believe Verity represents the best return on that investment. As the only truly new system – one that has gone through EAC certification as a single integrated platform, Verity offers superior features and longevity.”
“Everything about Verity is designed to be easy to use, and the system has been custom-tailored to fit the way Michigan votes,” Braithwaite added. “In response to local needs, Hart created the first-ever federally certified electronic transmission solution. This new functionality includes a user-friendly dashboard that streamlines election management. We are ready to stand beside Michigan jurisdictions as they modernize election operations across the state.”
Hart has seen tremendous customer growth in recent years, and 100 percent of jurisdictions that have moved from other vendors report extremely high customer satisfaction. The company uses a direct partnership approach to servicing the election solutions it provides, citing higher accountability and reduction in “middle-man” costs.
“Michigan counties should take a close look at Verity,” Braithwaite concluded. “Forward-looking jurisdictions will like what they see.”
Learn more about Verity in Michigan.
CUERO, Texas, Feb. 7 – This week, the DeWitt County election office is taking delivery of the most advanced election system certified for elections in the U.S., Hart InterCivic’s Verity Voting System.
In early January, forward-looking county officials decided to upgrade to an electronic voting system and quickly chose Verity, recently certified by the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
“There was never any question of picking another system,” said Blanca McBride, DeWitt Election Administrator. “Hart customer service is amazing, and we knew that their partnership would make Verity our best choice.”
“DeWitt’s purposeful decision to go with Verity Touch and Access speaks volumes about our ongoing relationship of trust with the county,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “We’ve partnered with the county for more than a decade, and we are proud of their confidence in Hart products and service.”
The county’s decision lays the groundwork for convenient and popular Vote Centers, which allow for voters to vote at any polling site on Election Day.
“Ten days later, we saw a demo of Hart’s Verity,” explained McBride. “We like the touchscreen. Plus, our commissioners, the election board, my staff and the community posed lots of good questions about security and other issues. Hart’s demo answered them all.”
The court quickly voted to move forward with a Verity contract, and by Feb. 3, Hart staff visited DeWitt to arrange logistics for training and delivery. DeWitt voters will use Verity in the May election, and Vote Centers will be rolled out for November, McBride said. (The county’s modern new electronic poll books, also purchased from Hart, will streamline voter check-in at the Vote Centers.)
Verity features include a user-friendly touchscreen that McBride plans to demonstrate throughout the county. She also will share information online and through social media to familiarize voters with Verity and encourage them to try the new system before Election Day.
Verity is the only new electronic voting system certified for use in Texas, and DeWitt joins other Texas counties deciding that it makes sense to choose Verity while keeping the same customer service and relationships they have had with Hart for more than a decade. Hart has more than 100 existing partnerships with Texas counties, and Braithwaite anticipates more Verity announcements for the Austin-based firm soon.
“Texas election officials are moving quickly to prepare for the future,” Braithwaite said. “Hart and Verity make sense. They were born and bred in Texas and have 100 years of history in the election business.”
“I would tell other counties not to wait until the last minute,” agreed McBride. “Using aging equipment that has the propensity to have issues could hurt the credibility and integrity of your election.”
Since the U.S. Election Assistance Commission certified Verity’s first release in May 2015, jurisdictions in eight states have adopted the system.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.
EDINBURG, Texas, Feb. 7, 2017 – After more than two years of research into options, Hidalgo County officials are moving confidently to shed outdated voting equipment and begin a new partnership with Texas-based Hart InterCivic, well-known for strong customer support and election innovations. Verity® Voting features a state-of-the-art touchscreen ballot with secure, transparent and reliable hardware and software. Hidalgo County voters will use the new Verity system in the November 2017 election.
Elections Administrator Yvonne Ramón and her staff enlisted community involvement in determining the best fit for Hidalgo County’s voting future. They held multiple demonstrations of the voting systems under consideration, inviting Commissioners, other elected officials, poll workers, election staff and the public to see and use the equipment and to get answers to their questions. Survey results were overwhelmingly in favor of Verity.
Poll workers expressed a strong preference for the lightweight, compact Verity polling place devices, which are easy to store, transport and set up. They also liked the simplicity of operating the electronic voting terminals from Verity’s unique, centralized Controller – a management console that reduces polling place tasks to a fraction of those required with other direct record electronic (DRE) systems.
Voters found Verity easier to use, commenting on its straightforward touchscreen navigation and instructions. The system includes features that make voting accessible for all voters in a variety of scenarios.
In special demonstrations of administrative functionality, elections staff were 100 percent in favor of Verity’s modern, intuitive software.
County decision-makers were impressed that the newly certified Verity is the only 100 percent direct-recording electronic (DRE) system that has passed rigorous testing at both the state and federal levels. The Texas Secretary of State’s office completed the testing and certification process in December, clearing the way for Hidalgo officials to move ahead with the forward-looking partnership.
Officials were also impressed with the voting safety and verification features of the new system. Printed audit logs and custom reports provide “paper trail” security superior to other electronic voting options.
“As an Elections Department in Hidalgo County, we have been ready to expand what we’d been doing,” Ramón said. “When I looked for a company that could lead us as we step into the future, Hart was that company. I have observed the various election providers in meetings and demos, and Hart is the company that has the strength – not just in equipment, but in knowledge of elections – to take us to the next level of efficiency and service to our voters.”
Ramón added, “I’ve been Elections Administrator for almost nine years. I’m not accustomed to the level of service we’re already receiving from Hart. I was immediately impressed by the degree to which Hart is there for their customers. They don’t shy away from issues or concerns; they stand right beside us.”
Hart President and CEO Phillip Braithwaite said, “We are proud to add Hidalgo County to our growing family of Verity adopters. We know that security and transparency are top concerns with Hidalgo voters, and Verity delivers in every way. We look forward to a long, successful partnership with Hidalgo County.”
Hidalgo County’s 335,985 registered voters put it at 10th largest in the state of Texas, where 112 other counties already partner with Hart for voting systems and support. The ability to learn best practices and processes from other counties already familiar with Hart will be an advantage for Hidalgo County election officials. Their Verity training and installation will coincide with Lubbock County’s timeline. Lubbock County, a Vote Center pioneer in Texas, will be a ready resource as Hidalgo County prepares to switch to these voter-pleasing, centralized polling places.
Braithwaite anticipates more Verity announcements from Texas counties in the coming weeks.
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 25 – Hart InterCivic’s innovative Verity Voting System is now available as a replacement for aging election equipment in Michigan.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson Tuesday authorized spending and set an August 2018 deadline for Michigan jurisdictions to replace election equipment. Hart’s Verity is the most advanced system approved for purchase in the state, and the all-new system is customized to meet Michigan’s requirements.
“Hart would like to thank the State Bureau of Elections and the Joint Evaluation Committee for their diligence and foresight in enabling a much-needed election technology refresh for Michigan’s 83 counties,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “Jurisdictions throughout the U.S. are due to invest in their election infrastructure. With this initiative, Michigan emerges as a leader in the nation.”
“Verity brings a fresh approach to Michigan, and we are ready to hit the ground running,” Braithwaite added. “The new system can be in place within months of a county’s decision, and we encourage swift action. Verity is the voting system of choice for jurisdictions across the country, and 100 percent of customers who switched from another vendor gave Hart’s service the highest satisfaction rating in 2016. We are eager to show Michigan voters an easier, more trustworthy experience.”
Verity’s advantages for Michigan include:
- All-new technology designed for cost-effective versatility to meet changing customer needs, demonstrated by third federal certification in less than two years
- Best-in-industry security protocols, including encryption, two-factor authentication and redundant data storage to safeguard the sanctity of the vote
- Cost-saving system and support approach, with compact, lightweight polling place devices that save on storage and transportation costs, a robust design that eliminates the need for costly vendor maintenance and Hart’s vendor-direct model that does away with hidden fees
- Easiest to use system for voters and election officials with plain-language instructions and consistently user-friendly software and hardware design
· “Verity is the right choice for Michigan. Let’s get started,” said Braithwaite from the company’s Austin headquarters. “We are proud of our history of innovation and strong commitment to meeting our customers’ needs.”
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 17, 2017 – With its third federal certification in less than two years, Hart InterCivic’s innovative Verity® Voting system continues to gain momentum as a leading choice for jurisdictions eager to replace aging voting systems with forward-looking technology.
The most recent release of Verity Voting, which was certified last month by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), includes remote transmission technology to accelerate the reporting of Election Night results. No other voting system has ever achieved EAC certification of remote transmission technology that is fully compliant with the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, Version 1.0 (VVSG 2005).
Verity’s new “Relay” feature works in conjunction with Verity Scan, Hart’s user-friendly paper ballot scanning device. Instead of requiring poll workers to physically transport memory devices that contain results to a central jurisdiction office, Verity Scan with Relay automates the transmission of results thorough secure telecommunications. Particularly in the case of rural, remote areas or difficult travel conditions, the option for remote transmission can be critical. Relay provides an additional benefit – its intuitive graphic dashboard illustrates which polling places have reported returns, enabling administrators at the central office to monitor and manage polling place status in real time.
As with all other aspects of the Verity Voting system, security and ease of use were paramount values when designing the Relay feature. Verity’s remote transmission option complies with encryption and authentication protocols defined in the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS), and with other rigorous federal telecommunication standards for election technology. While Verity Scan with Relay uses high-tech security measures, it is easy for polling place officials to use, because its functionality is seamlessly integrated into the Verity Scan workflow. When poll workers close the polls, Relay securely transmits results; no additional steps are required.
Because an emphasis on remote transmission is unique to certain regions and election officials, achieving the right balance of security, modularity, usability, and customer requirements was essential. “This exciting Relay technology was Hart’s response to customer requests,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “When key county and local officials voiced a strong desire for remote transmission, we put our developers to work. The result is a faster, more direct way to tally votes that many other jurisdictions will appreciate.”
Using adaptable technology that works with AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and other carriers, the Relay function is compatible with private carrier networks and uses commercial off the shelf (COTS) broadband technology.
“With this latest milestone, we build on Hart’s promise to continually expand and improve upon Verity,” said Braithwaite from the company’s Austin headquarters. “In 2015, Verity was the first all-new voting system in years to achieve EAC certification. With our second EAC certification, Verity added the first all-new direct record electronic (DRE) device. And now, Verity brings another first to the industry – the first remote transmission solution to achieve EAC certification. We are proud of our history of innovation and our strong commitment to meeting customers’ needs.”
Since the EAC certified Verity Voting’s first release, jurisdictions in eight states have purchased the system. Braithwaite expects to announce several new Verity commitments within weeks.
ANAHUAC, Texas, Jan. 12, 2017 – Decisions triggered by growing election needs will pay off for Chambers County voters when they go to the polls in May 2017. Voters will cast ballots electronically on the Verity® Voting system from Hart InterCivic. Recently certified by the Texas Secretary of State’s office, Verity has passed rigorous testing at the state and federal levels.
Election officials in the rapidly growing county near Houston took notice of neighboring Jefferson County’s switch to Hart InterCivic from a vendor both counties shared. Chambers officials were also aware of Harris County’s longtime satisfaction with Hart’s customer service.
In demonstrations of Hart’s new Verity electronic voting system, Chambers County decision-makers were wowed by the system’s centralized management console and portable, briefcase-style polling place devices.
On election night, Verity allows officials to publish results faster because they can 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 huge efficiency is due to Verity Controller, a centralized “brain” that allows officials to open polls on up to 12 voting terminals from a single console. The Controller model greatly simplifies election setup, because warehouse workers predefine just the Controller – not every voting terminal. The model also cuts down on the purchase and handling of portable data storage devices, saving those costs for jurisdictions.
Chambers County officials expect significant cost savings in ballot programming as well, projecting a 30 percent lower cost than what they have been paying. The Verity system features powerful ballot programming software that empowers jurisdictions to create their own ballots.
“We are excited for the voters of Chambers County to enjoy the most technologically advanced voting tablet and system in the U.S.,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “As the most efficient system on the market, Verity will save Chambers County time and money for many years and elections to come.”
Verity also provides an additional level of accessibility for voters with disabilities or impaired mobility: a portable tablet accommodates voters in a variety of settings.
Chambers County voters will be using the latest version of Verity, which is the only all-new direct-recording electronic (DRE) system on the market that complies with current federal and state guidelines.
Since the federal Election Assistance Commission first certified Verity Voting in May 2015, jurisdictions in eight states have adopted the system. The version certified in Texas this month was designed to meet the needs of longtime and new Texas customers. Hart, which provides voting system solutions for 111 Texas counties, has headquarters in Austin and more than 100 years of history in the election business.
“Chambers County is among the first in Texas to upgrade to Verity. We welcome them to a growing list of Texas counties leaving their current vendor, seeking superior equipment and better customer service,” said Braithwaite. Hart anticipates more Verity announcements from Texas counties in the coming weeks.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.
HONDO, Texas, January 10, 2017 – Thanks to forward-looking Medina County Commissioners and the guidance of Elections Administrator Patricia Barton, Medina County voters will be using the most advanced voting system certified for elections in the U.S. when they cast ballots in May 2017.
“I am so excited that we are bringing a new age of election technology to Medina County,” Barton said. “Verity is such a user-friendly system. I tell voters it will be like going from a rotary-dial phone to an iPhone. They are eager, too.”
The Verity® Voting system from Hart InterCivic, recently certified by the Texas Secretary of State’s office, has passed rigorous testing at the state and federal levels. This all-new electronic voting system will replace Medina County’s 11-year-old equipment.
“A few voters are nervous about change, but I explain to them that using Verity is as easy as their phones. Want larger type? Push a button. Want the ballot in Spanish? Push a button,” Barton said.
Medina County began setting aside funds to replace their system after the Texas Secretary of State’s office advised jurisdictions in 2013 that federal money would not be available for replacement systems. Proactive planning meant that Medina could sign up for the new Verity system as soon as it was available in Texas.
Hart representatives will be in the county beginning next week to prepare for the switch from older Hart equipment. A decade-long partnership with a trusted provider is an advantage for Medina County leaders and voters.
“Hart has made this upgrade so simple,” Barton added. “They are even taking the old machines off our hands so we don’t have to store them.”
“We have worked with Medina County officials since 2005, and we value their trust in our customer service and new technology,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “Now that they have made the transition to Vote Centers for the convenience of their voters, the best choice for them is Verity Touch.”
Verity Touch is the only all-new direct-recording electronic (DRE) device on the market that complies with current federal and state guidelines. Medina County officials chose Verity for the labor savings and easy training for poll workers and voters. Staying with Hart was a factor as well.
“Hart is absolutely amazing. I can make a phone call and describe an issue in layman’s terms, and I get a solution that I can follow,” Barton said.
While the Verity touchscreen is bigger and easier to read than the screen Medina voters used previously, the complete system weighs less. Its portable, briefcase style simplifies transport, setup and storage, another consideration that was important to Medina County officials.
The lightweight touchscreen tablet also makes is easier for poll workers to serve all voters, regardless of accessibility needs. All connections handled by the workers are modern, simple and durable.
Verity Voting was first certified by the federal Election Assistance Commission in May 2015, and jurisdictions in eight states have now adopted the system. The version certified in Texas this month was designed to meet the needs of longtime and new Texas customers. Hart provides voting system solutions for 111 Texas counties, and the number is growing. The company has headquarters in Austin and more than 100 years of history in the election business.
Braithwaite anticipates more Verity announcements from Texas counties in the coming weeks.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.
SINTON, Texas, Jan. 4, 2017 – After several years of anticipation, touchscreen voting is coming to San Patricio County. County Commissioners approved the purchase of Hart InterCivic’s new Verity® Voting system, the most advanced system certified for elections in the U.S.
Recently certified by the Texas Secretary of State’s office, and recommended by the county’s election office, Verity has passed rigorous testing at the state and federal levels. The move to all electronic voting in time for the May 2017 election helps clear the way for gaining approval of Vote Centers to serve the growing number of registered voters in San Patricio County.
Voters appreciate the convenience of Vote Centers, and Elections Administrator Pam Hill has sought approval for the updated system since she learned that Texas was testing the latest version of Verity. Vote Centers will require additional approval and public input once the new technology is in use.
Verity will replace San Patricio County’s 11-year-old legacy system from Hart, which employs both electronic and paper ballots. Wanting to upgrade as quickly as possible, Hill urged county officials to adopt the technology as soon as it was certified in Texas.
“We’re excited to move to the touchscreen,” said Elections Administrator Pam Hill. “We’re excited Verity is smaller and lighter; it will be great for our poll workers. Our expectations are high for the administrative software to be even easier to work with than what we’re using now. We’re looking forward to a good 2017, starting with Verity.”
Staying with Hart, a trusted elections partner, while moving to the easy-to-use Verity system makes sense for San Patricio County.
“We’ve always enjoyed working with Hart because of our relationship with the company’s personnel,” Hill added. “We know Hart is there to help us with whatever we need. I couldn’t ask for a better company to work with at election time and throughout the year.”
Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic commented, “When the Texas Secretary of State’s office certified this newest release of Verity, San Patricio was one of the first counties in line for the new technology. They’ve made a good move. We have worked with this county since 2005, and we look forward to a long future of successful elections together.”
Verity is a flexible, transparent and trustworthy solution with the most up-to-date hardware and software available in the U.S. The Verity touchscreen is bigger and easier to read, and the complete system weighs less than other options. Its portable, briefcase style simplifies transport, setup and storage.
Since Verity Voting’s first release was certified by the federal Election Assistance Commission in May 2015, jurisdictions in eight states have adopted the system. Hart, which provides voting system solutions for 111 Texas counties, has headquarters in Austin and more than 100 years of history in the election business.
Braithwaite anticipates more Verity announcements from Texas counties in the coming weeks.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.
LUBBOCK, Texas, Jan. 3, 2017 – Lubbock County election officials are breaking new ground – again. The county that pioneered the convenient Vote Center concept in Texas will debut the most advanced voting system certified in the U.S. when polls open for the May Uniform election.
With more than 150,000 registered voters and growing, Lubbock County chose to adopt the new Verity® Voting system from its longtime vendor, Hart InterCivic. Recently certified by the Texas Secretary of State’s office. Verity has passed rigorous testing at the stateand federal levels.
Lubbock’s Election Administrator, Dorothy Kennedy, has helped many other counties understand the steps for moving to Vote Centers. It was natural that the forward-looking county would be among the first to choose Verity when the State of Texas approved the system’s new electronic voting functionality.
The easy-to-use Verity system will add to the convenience of Vote Centers, which are growing in popularity for medium and large jurisdictions.
“The largest reason Lubbock’s County Commissioners chose Verity is the great customer service Hart has given us for more than 11 years,” said Dorothy Kennedy, Elections Administrator. “We know from experience that the products Hart builds do what they’re supposed to do. The choice is a good one, not just from a mechanical perspective, but from a person-to-person one.”
Kennedy’s office plans to work closely with other counties as they adopt Verity. Kennedy added, “We’re happy to say yes to other counties that have questions or need help. Lubbock always takes the approach that we’re all in elections together. Any county – large, medium or small – has something to offer. If we take off our glasses and see through theirs, we get a lot of neat ideas.”
“We love seeing counties sharing best practices and helping each other,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “Dorothy Kennedy and Lubbock County have been progressive promoters of efficient elections and processes. With more than 111 Hart partners across the state, we are proud to see them learn from each other. We learn a lot, too; Verity was designed with input from all over the state.”
With the new Verity electronic voting release certified for Texas purchase, many counties find that it makes sense to choose Verity while keeping the same customer service and relationships they have had with Hart for more than a decade. Hart is headquartered in Austin and has more than 100 years of history in the election business.
The move to Verity’s easy-to-use, compact polling place devices made operational and financial sense for Lubbock County. Kennedy is also looking forward to using the system’s new software, which greatly simplifies the process of creating ballots.
Since the U.S. Election Assistance Commission certified Verity’s first release in May 2015, jurisdictions in eight states have adopted the system.
Braithwaite anticipates more Verity announcements from Texas counties in the coming weeks.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas4verity.
EASTLAND, Texas, Dec. 21, 2016 – With the Verity certification announcement from the Texas Secretary of State’s office this month, Eastland County elections officials are moving forward with their plan to purchase the most advanced voting system in the U.S., Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system.
Verity, which will be used for the county’s May 2017 election, was certified Dec. 15 by the Texas Secretary of State’s office and has passed rigorous testing at the state and federal levels. It will replace Eastland County’s 11-year-old legacy voting system from Hart.
“I can’t wait to move to Verity’s new technology,” said Laurie Mangum, Joint Elections Administrator. “Verity’s touchscreen will make it easier for the voters, and that could improve our voter turnout. We are all about the voters, and they are all used to touchscreens.”
Keeping the same customer service and relationships they have had for more than a decade makes sense for Eastland County. “Hart customer service is really good. They are always ready to help,” Mangum explained.
Officials were also impressed with the security features of the new system. Printed audit logs and custom reports provide “paper trail” security superior to other electronic voting options.
“Eastland officials knew that the time was right to move to Verity. We have worked with the county since 2005, and we are sensitive to their budget and security needs,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “We were happy to work with them on when to take delivery and how to handle transparent, trustworthy elections. We know that Verity will serve their voters for many years to come.”
Eastland County voters will be using Verity Touch, which is the only all-new direct-recording electronic (DRE) device on the market that complies with all federal and state guidelines.
While the Verity touchscreen is bigger and easier to read, the complete system weighs less than older options. Its portable, briefcase style simplifies transport, setup and storage.
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. To serve voters who cannot enter the polling place due to physical disabilities, poll workers need only turn a key and lift the 6 pound, rugged tablet from its base to carry it outside. “Unlock, pull out and go,” said Mangum. “Making it easy on voters who can’t walk so far is an advantage.”
Verity’s first release was certified by the federal Election Assistance Commission in May 2015, and the system has now been selected by jurisdictions across eight states. The version certified in Texas this month was designed to meet the needs of longtime and new Texas customers. Hart, which provides voting system solutions for 111 Texas counties, has headquarters in Austin and more than 100 years of history in the election business.
Braithwaite anticipates more Verity announcements from Texas counties in the coming weeks.