The New Jersey Department of State certified the latest major release of the Verity® Voting system on May 29. New Jersey jurisdictions ready to replace aging equipment now have even greater choice when purchasing new voting system technology from Hart InterCivic, a longtime election solution provider that is new to the State.
An earlier version of Hart’s modern, secure Verity system – a configuration that supports hand-marked paper ballots – was certified for purchase in New Jersey in late 2018. This newest version of Verity adds Verity Duo, an innovative solution for hybrid voting, which combines the ease of a touchscreen with the assurance of a voter-verifiable printed vote record.
“Hart pledges to continue to bring innovative election technology to the State of New Jersey,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “We are proud, but not surprised, to see Verity’s latest release meet the rigorous standards for New Jersey certification.”
The Verity Voting platform provides efficient, flexible voting configurations for all the ways New Jersey counties vote, including hand-marked paper ballots, machine-marked paper ballots and by mail. The system’s newest component, Verity Duo, allows voters to mark ballot choices on a touchscreen and print easy-to-review vote records on its integrated printer. The voter then inserts the printed paper record into the Verity Scan device to capture choices word-for-word using Hart’s patent-pending optical character recognition (OCR) technology.
Verity Duo is the only fully transparent hybrid voting solution – this solution from Hart counts votes directly from its human-readable summary, not from an undecipherable bar code.
Managing elections with Verity Duo is simplified with Hart’s patented centralized polling place management model, which allows officials to open and close polls easily and to monitor voting devices from a single dashboard. Further, Verity’s compact design saves space and simplifies transportation. Providing easy management of thousands of ballot styles, the overall system is designed for voting privacy and independence – it is fully compliant with federal requirements for accessibility.
Verity Duo complies with federal requirements for multi-language voting and provides the printed vote record in any of the 11 supported languages the voter selects, unlike systems that produce the paper record in English only.
Demand for Verity solutions is growing as counties prepare for 2020 elections. Braithwaite expects more state certifications as jurisdictions seek this trustworthy hybrid paper-trail option.
“We are eager to work with New Jersey decision-makers to provide reliable, voter-friendly election systems,” he said. “Our innovation is backed by the most highly-rated customer support in the industry. The combination is a win-win for our partners.”
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/state/newjersey/
Verity® Voting debuted in Ohio to solid praise from voters, poll workers and election officials using it for the first time May 7. Hamilton and Williams Counties were the first to vote using the modern, secure technology from Hart InterCivic, a long-time election services provider.
“Our feedback was very positive, and our relationship with Hart gave us confidence throughout the process,” said Hamilton County Director of Elections Sherry Poland.
In Williams County, “our voters loved it,” said A.J. Nowaczyk, Director of Elections, adding that officials appreciated the ease of ballot preparation and Election Day setup. “A half-hour setup at the polling place was all it took,” he said. “Both setup and tear-down were very easy,” added Deputy Director Katrena Ebersole.
Both counties have partnered with Hart since 2006 and chose the trusted provider to deliver the most up-to-date election solution available. “We were confident in Hart in making this move to the latest technology,” said Poland. “Security is always an issue; the timing was right for this upgrade.”
The use of Verity’s Touch Writer option made voting accessible to all in both counties. The ADA-compliant Touch Writer is a standalone ballot-marking device with an audio tactile interface that allows voters to generate a paper ballot marked with their selections. The ballot is scanned like every other ballot, unlike some systems that count such votes separately.
“Voters saw little difference in using their paper ballots, but there was more comfort with the ADA option. It’s much more user-friendly, and more chose to use it,” said Poland in Hamilton County.
“The process is more inclusive,” said Nowaczyk in Williams County. “Voters using an ADA compliant device end up with the same ballot as any other voter. Every ballot is scanned into the same machine, the same way.”
“Touch Writer is not intimidating. Voters can listen to the audio version or not, according to their choice,” he added. “Our voters using Touch Writer found it easy and quick.”
To spread the word about the new voting option, his office is planning a show-and-tell for the Williams County Board of Developmental Disabilities. They also will hold an open house and mock election throughout June to introduce more voters to Verity and the Touch Writer, which they encourage everyone to consider using. “It really is easy,” said Ebersole, adding that the Touch Writer is available at each polling place.
Also promoting voter education, Hamilton County keeps a Verity Voting device available in their lobby for the public to try. They plan more voter outreach before their larger August and November elections.
Leading up to Election Day, Hart’s training for poll workers was praised for an efficient, smooth launch.
“Our project manager gets a shout out. She had lots of good ideas, during preparation and our train-the-trainers process,” said Sally Krisel, Deputy Director of Elections in Hamilton County.
“Happy poll workers mean happy voters, and that is what we got with Verity,” she added. “We had very few calls on Election Day. How easy.”
As the polls closed, Hamilton County election officials surveyed workers for their input about the new equipment. A sampling of their comments about Verity follows:
- I was the first to vote on (Verity Touch Writer) at HQ, and it is easy as pie. Once voters recognize that they can use it effectively, it will be used more often.
- (Verity Scan) is easy to use. The green arrows help the users place their ballots. I had fewer inquiries about casting ballots.
- It is easier for voters to see if there is a problem with their ballot and for us to help them.
- The system is friendlier looking.
- Great. Easy setup. Good instructions.
- (Verity is) much easier and more intuitive to operate.
Poll workers in both counties had praise for the compact, easy to transport Verity equipment. Hamilton County, with more than 500 precincts to support in a full election, added a locked, wheeled storage caddy recommended by Hart. The caddy keeps voting equipment secure, organized and easy to deliver to polling sites.
Election officials also praised Hart’s highly rated culture of support and service.
“Hart’s customer service is fantastic,” said Ebersole. “They are always just a phone call away. Our project manager was on site for Election Night. We had one hiccup, and he was on the phone getting answers.”
“Our support staff was so patient and thorough, making sure that I understood everything I need to know,’ said Nowaczyk, who is new to his position in Williams County.
“Hart says relationships matter, and it’s true,” said Krisel in Hamilton County. “Hart provides excellent support. That relationship was a strong deciding factor in choosing Verity, and in moving forward with Hart.”
“Verity is off to a solid start in Ohio. We could not be prouder to help these Ohio counties transition to Verity, and to witness their satisfaction,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “We value our long-term relationships and these counties’ confidence in great technology. We look forward to seeing other Ohio jurisdictions follow their lead.”
A growing number of U.S. jurisdictions are turning to Hart for easy-to-use, reliable solutions backed by trusted customer support.
As other jurisdictions consider a switch to Verity, Ebersole has advice.
“Between the simplicity of the machines and the awesome support, it’s a great combination. Give them a chance,” she said.
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit https://www.hartintercivic.com/state/ohio/
The newest users of Verity® Voting, the easy-to-use, secure election technology from Texas-based Hart InterCivic, praised the popular system for an efficient and user-friendly May 4 election. More than 10,000 Verity devices are in use across Texas as a growing number of jurisdictions turn to the long-time election solutions provider for reliable technology backed by trusted customer support.
Verity offers flexible options that fit the various ways Texans vote. In Brazos and Tom Green Counties, voters cast their ballots using the touchscreen. Liberty County also debuted Verity in May, with voters casting hand-marked paper ballots, as they had with the County’s previous system. All three jurisdictions reported trouble-free elections with the new system.
“I heard a lot of good feedback from our voters,” said Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock. “The touchscreen is very intuitive for all ages. A 71-year-old made a point to tell us that she had no trouble with a touchscreen — and that nobody else should, either.”
In Tom Green County, officials heard “quick and easy!” from voters and poll workers. Election staff happily noted that voters who had previously resisted electronic voting welcomed the touchscreen.
“There were people who had never used the electronic voting machines before. When told these offer touchscreens, they tried the electronic option for the first time and liked it,” said Tom Green County Elections Administrator Vona Hudson.
Verity’s lightweight, removable tablet also helped voters unable to leave their vehicles.
“Curbside voting was easy, and our voters who need that had no trouble,” said Hudson, who publicizes the availability of a curbside option in her county. “Whatever makes voting accessible – that’s what we want to provide for our citizens.”
A former candidate in Tom Green County observed that the touchscreen made write-ins much easier, because everyone is familiar with typing on a pad.
“We are proud to see Verity serving voters across Texas,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “The system is designed and manufactured in Texas; we are nearby and always available. We value our strong Texas heritage, and we are committed to advancing democracy in the State and across the U.S. with secure, efficient voting systems.”
In Brazos County, with more than 100,000 registered voters, an easy transition with Hart’s training and support was especially appreciated. Election workers found Verity simple to learn.
“Hart’s team did everything they could to help make our transition easy. With Verity, we switched to a touchscreen system, but the learning curve was smooth. Our poll workers were comfortable and confident using it,” said Hancock, who accepted delivery of Brazos County’s new system in January. “That means a lot to me.”
Hancock is confident that Verity and Hart will perform well for upcoming, more complicated elections facing Brazos County.
“We are really happy with Verity and Hart customer service. They are always A-1,” she said.
In Tom Green County, with nearly 65,000 registered voters, Hudson liked the convenience of the AutoBallot feature that minimizes the possibility of human error when assigning a ballot style at the polling place. Before Verity, poll workers manually selected precinct-specific ballots for each voter.
“Plus, the new Verity is a huge time saver for election workers,” said Hudson, pointing out that Hart trainers taught her staff to program the county’s ballots. “We had the support and knowledge of the whole team. They are experienced, and they’re always good about sharing tips.”
Her staff also praised Verity’s briefcase-style design. “The equipment is smaller, more compact and easier to set up for voting.”
Hudson is looking forward to smooth, budget-friendly elections for many years.
“Investing in Verity is money well spent,” she said. “For us, it was smart to stay with a reliable vendor, someone we know and trust. It was very comforting to transition with a team and product with Hart’s reputation. We have found a lot to like, and that is universal with Hart and Hart products.”
These counties join a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. The trustworthy and auditable system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.
Braithwaite expects more Texas and national announcements in the near future.
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/
County administrative officer and interim registrar issues statement on May 7 election
Carol Huchingson
Posted On Friday, 10 May 2019 01:59
10 May 2019
First, I want to say I could not be happier with the leadership and stability that interim Deputy Registrar of Voters, Marcy Harrison, has brought to her office over the past two months.
Marcy stepped into her role with great commitment and energy, and provided exemplary service to Lake County residents and Lakeport Fire Protection District. It has been a joy to support Marcy, and see her grow and excel.
The recent efforts of the entire Registrar of Voters staff have been truly commendable. Leading up to Election Day, we were grateful for the invaluable contributions of multiple long-term extra help staff, for example, who helped our office provide a sense of continuity for voters. Their efforts prepared the way for successful vote tabulation and timely delivery of preliminary election results.
Since February, retired long-time Registrar Diane Fridley and former Interim Registrar Maria Valadez have also graciously lent expertise on a volunteer basis, and it is fantastic that they remain so supportive of Lake County elections.
Our May Special Election has been impartially conducted and professionally managed. Nearly 6,000 county residents were eligible to vote, and the turnout was strong relative to similar vote by mail elections in Lake County. Votes postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday will be counted. Signature verifications and other efforts are likewise ongoing, which are expected to yield further countable votes.
Election Day was a truly exciting step forward for our developing elections team. In total, more than a dozen people contributed on Tuesday, and all were able to complete their work before 9 p.m.
Lake County is at the forefront of California local governments implementing new voting systems, having initiated purchasing efforts well ahead of Secretary of State, Alex Padilla’s, February 27 advisory that many voting systems had been decertified: https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//ccrov/pdf/2019/february/19015sl.pdf .
Our Board of Supervisors authorized purchase of the Verity Voting System by longtime Lake county elections partner Hart InterCivic. The system includes vote counting and ballot programming software, as well as ADA-compliant ballot marking equipment. The Verity system was implemented for this election, and both hardware and software performed as anticipated on Election Day. Hart staff have been on-site this week, providing valuable support. Particularly as we look ahead to the March 2020 Presidential Primary, we are thrilled to have tools that will facilitate broad voter participation and the highest standard of election security.
We are likewise grateful Lake County is ahead of the curve, and gaining experience with our new system. We were very pleased that two counties came to observe our election, to inform their own voting system purchases. This recent article offers some further insights into the Verity system: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/forward-looking-lake-county-chooses-225200938.html .
In the days and weeks to come, we will continue to take constructive steps, and look forward to certifying our election results within the customary 30-day timeframe.
Carol Huchingson is the county administrative officer and interim registrar of voters for Lake County, Calif.
Counties eager to replace aging election equipment can now choose the Verity® Voting system, featuring innovative voting technology that combines the ease of a touchscreen with the assurance of a voter-verifiable printed vote record. The Secretary of State this week certified Verity, from longtime election solution provider Hart InterCivic. Verity, already in use in counties across the U.S., is available immediately in Pennsylvania, where a custom version was requested.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
Hart worked with stakeholders in Pennsylvania to add user interface enhancements to support state-specific straight party voting methods. Rigorous federal and state certification assures that Verity meets the State’s expectations.
“We are proud to bring Verity to Pennsylvania voters. We’ve partnered with jurisdictions in the Commonwealth since 2006 and have fine-tuned our latest technology to fit the way Pennsylvania votes. In addition, our new Verity Duo device is now available to meet jurisdictions’ demand for election technology combining touchscreen ballot marking with paper-trail security,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions.
“Verity has been in use across the country since 2015. Now, Verity Duo is also federally certified, and already proven in the polling place,” Braithwaite said. “Hart pioneered digital ballot scanning, and we strive to provide forward-looking features that can be configured to meet the needs of any local jurisdiction.”
Verity Duo allows voters to mark ballot choices on a touchscreen and print easy-to-review vote records on its integrated printer. The voter then inserts the printed paper record into the Verity Scan device to be captured word-for-word by Hart’s patent-pending technology. Verity Duo is more transparent than other “hybrid” devices that combine electronic ballot marking and paper vote casting – this solution from Hart counts votes directly from the human-readable summary, not from an undecipherable bar code. Printed records are securely stored. Many election administrators favor using this combination to efficiently record voter intent by touchscreen while saving a paper record for audits or recounts.
Another feature that is distinct to Verity’s hybrid configuration is Hart’s patented centralized polling place management model, which allows officials to open and close polls easily and to monitor voting devices from one console. Further, Verity’s compact design saves space and simplifies transportation. Providing easy management of thousands of ballot styles, the overall system is designed for voting privacy and independence – it is fully compliant with federal requirements for accessibility.
Hart has seen a steady increase in demand for Verity, designed and manufactured in the U.S., as counties prepare for 2020 elections. Certification of the Pennsylvania version including Verity Duo’s touchscreen and paper-trail option opens the door to even more jurisdictions.
“Verity is the most flexible, up-to-date election system available, always backed by Hart’s highly rated customer support. When our customers identify new needs, we work with them to develop the best solutions. Verity delivers exactly what Pennsylvania wants and needs for trustworthy voting,” said Braithwaite.
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/state/pennsylvania.
Innovative voting technology that combines the ease of a touchscreen with the assurance of a voter-verifiable printed vote record is now available for Missouri counties seeking to replace aging election systems. The Secretary of State and Election Division last week certified the Verity® Voting system from longtime election solution provider Hart InterCivic. Verity, already in use in counties across the U.S., is available immediately in Missouri.
The certification is a significant step, opening the door to modern, secure Verity for Missouri jurisdictions ready to switch to modern, secure voting system technology.
“We are proud to offer the latest version of our flagship Verity Voting system in Missouri. Verity has been in use across the U.S. since 2015. Now, we are adding the Verity Duo option and other innovations to meet customer requests,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “Missouri voters will appreciate Verity’s flexible and trustworthy election technology, whether they are voting by mail, hand-marking ballots in person, or using the new hybrid.”
“The new Verity Duo component combines the best of touchscreen technology with a readable paper record you can check before casting your vote. It’s federally certified, and already proven in the polling place,” Braithwaite said.
Verity Duo allows voters to mark ballot choices on a touchscreen and print easy-to-review vote records on the integrated printer. The voter then inserts the printed vote record into the Verity Scan device to be captured word-for-word by Hart’s patent-pending technology. Verity Duo is more transparent than other “hybrid” devices that combine electronic ballot marking and paper vote casting – this solution from Hart counts votes directly from human-readable summary, not from a bar code. Printed records are securely stored and available for audits or recounts.
Verity is efficient and cost effective for counties. Thousands of ballot styles can be easily managed electronically without the expense and complication of pre-printing paper ballots. That cost savings extends to the warehouse where fewer devices must be stored and transported to polling places. Centralized polling place management allows officials to easily open and close polls and to monitor voting devices from one console. The overall system is designed for voting privacy and independence – it is fully compliant with federal requirements for accessibility.
Hart has seen a steady increase in demand for Verity, designed and manufactured in the U.S., as counties prepare for 2020 elections. Verity Duo’s touchscreen and paper-trail option opens the door to even more jurisdictions.
“Hart pioneered digital ballot scanning, and Verity meets and surpasses the strenuous testing required by federal certification and now, Missouri,” said Braithwaite. “Verity is a flexible election solution and delivers efficient, Hart-backed reliability when our partners demand “Show me!”
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/voting-solutions/verityoverview.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
When Lake County citizens vote May 7, their ballots will be counted on the modern, secure Verity® Voting system from the jurisdiction’s long-time election partner Hart InterCivic. Verity was chosen over other systems for its security, transparency and trusted customer support.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
“Verity is a long-term investment, and Lake County citizens will benefit from continuing with a partner of Hart’s leadership, reliability and experience. Hart has a track record of helping elections officials respond to change with the right technology,” said Carol Huchingson, County Administrative Officer, Interim Registrar of Voters.
“We’ve partnered with Hart since 2006, and our elections staff has consistently found their customer service, training and support to be of the highest quality,” she added. “Our long-term satisfaction with Hart and their experience in California and other states makes us very confident in adopting Verity’s ahead-of-the-curve technology.”
“Lake County shows strong leadership by choosing Verity. We appreciate their continued confidence in Hart and are working closely with elections staff to ensure the transition to Verity is smooth and efficient,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions.
“Hart’s staff has already been in Lakeport for product delivery and testing and will work alongside the election office to make the most of Verity’s advancements. Verity is the only all-new, proven system certified in California,” he said.
The County’s elections team looks forward to Verity’s improvements and long-term benefits. The team expects voters will find the ballot format and voter accessibility systems easy to use, while Verity’s security features will ensure the public’s votes are accurately represented.
“Ensuring the accuracy of election results is fundamental to our democracy, and the Hart system offers auditing capacities and controls that are truly essential for modern elections,” Huchingson said. “Our elections office, with Hart’s support, can become a standard bearer for both efficiency and security.”
Hart pioneered digital ballot scanning, and the company’s decade-plus experience with the technology has strongly influenced Verity’s design. Verity’s hardware and software features make elections secure and transparent. A main component of the U.S.-built system is Verity Central, with a streamlined workflow, logical onscreen adjudication and no ballot pre-sorting required.
“We exist to serve the public, and it is essential to us that we partner with companies with a similar service orientation. Hart is a great fit for Lake County,” said Huchingson.
First federally certified in 2015, Verity is in use in more than 100 jurisdictions throughout the U.S., and Braithwaite expects more announcements as a growing number of counties choose Verity over other options.
“Verity may be new to California, but we’ve been impressed with Hart’s record of success in other states and encouraged that many neighboring counties are also strongly considering Verity,” said Marcy Harrison, Interim Deputy Registrar of Voters.
Learn more about Verity: https://www.hartintercivic.com/state/california/
Yamhill County will run its May election using Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting, after rejecting a competing system that did not work efficiently for the jurisdiction.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
“We used (the other company’s system) for our gubernatorial election, and I realized immediately that we did not want to use it for our upcoming presidential primary,” said County Clerk Brian Van Bergen, who re-opened negotiations with Hart, a former election partner with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions.
“The issue boiled down to a failure to deliver integrated write-in resolutions. Our voters expect election results overnight, but the new system was not able to deliver. Announcing election results a week late was a significant public relations problem,” he said.
“With more than 500 precinct races, all allowing write-ins, adjudicating ballots in a timely way is crucial,” said Van Bergen. “The system we purchased could not deliver the fast, easy-to-understand results our voters had learned to expect with Hart’s legacy system.”
The County has nearly 69,000 registered voters and, like in all of Oregon, voters mark paper ballots delivered by mail. Hart InterCivic’s Verity offers best-in-industry central scanning solution that facilitates efficient, accurate and transparent handling for large volumes of by-mail ballots.
The County successfully renegotiated its election contracts and last week took delivery of equipment for Verity, the most modern, secure voting technology available. Van Bergen, who tested Verity in his office first-hand, is relieved. “We didn’t realize how awesome working with Hart systems could be until we didn’t have one.”
“Welcome back to the Hart family,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “We are happy to once again offer our superior support to Yamhill County with Hart’s Verity solution. We look forward to a long partnership with the County.”
Van Bergen praised Hart’s attentive customer service and responsiveness, saying, “It warms the heart to call and reach someone who knows the answer to your question, or knows how to find out what you need. Hart believes in follow-through. We had a painful experience with the other company, waiting four or five days for a call back and then not getting a real answer. It was a pattern.”
“Hart’s customer service team, top to bottom, is simply superior,” he added.
Training for the May election will begin next week, and Van Bergen expects workers to “love the smoother, cleaner, easier to navigate” features of Verity. “We had an issue with the other system that did not easily show us which ballots had been adjudicated. We discovered that some ballots were checked and rechecked by the same staff over and over again. Verity lets users avoid that.”
Van Bergen is also looking forward to the trustworthiness of Verity, designed and manufactured in the U.S.
“The security features with Verity are astonishing,” he said. “It’s comforting to know that not only are we getting a better-working system, but one that is more secure than we ever thought possible.”
As a growing number of jurisdictions in the Northwest and throughout the country look at new voting systems, Van Bergen offers advice.
“I strongly recommend looking at the whole value proposition, considering your selection from start to finish. From the first phone call, through ballot design, to final adjudication. Having that value proposition may not mean the lowest initial price, but it is worth your time to check a few references before making a decision that you will regret for 10 years.”
“I’ve now worked with a startup and a 100-year-old company,” said Van Bergen, who has been County Clerk for six years. “Some consider it fun and exciting to work with a startup, but you don’t want elections to be fun and exciting. You want them to be accurate – safe, secure and dependable. We’ve made the right choice with Hart.”
Technology sales executive John Mullen has joined Hart InterCivic as Chief Sales Officer, the Austin-based company announced this week. Mullen comes to Hart’s leadership team from SonicWall, a network and cyber-security company, where he served as General Manager of State and Local Government and Education Sales.
“John Mullen is an innovative sales leader whose expertise in cyber-security and government technology sales will serve Hart well as the company’s market share grows,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions.
“Mullen has been directly involved in negotiating major state contracts and has a reputation for building long-term relationships with decision makers. He is the right fit for Hart’s culture of customer service. He’ll intensify our velocity in responding to the voice of the customer as we continue to develop forward-looking products and services.”
Mullen counts more than 30 years’ experience in senior leadership roles in the technology industry. Hart’s reputation for strong customer partnerships and timely election innovations drew him to the company.
“At Hart, person-to-person relationships carry the day. The culture is healthy, and everyone I’ve met is committed to a long tenure providing lasting solutions,” he said. “The company is built on trust and integrity. That speaks to me.”
“I could not be more excited about being part of the future with Hart,” said Mullen, who will be based at the company’s Austin headquarters. “Listening to customers and developing innovative solutions like Verity Duo (a touchscreen ballot marking device with a paper trail) keeps the company relevant and poised for growth.”
Mullen earned his MBA at Santa Clara University and a BA in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University.
The announcement comes as Braithwaite expects accelerating demand for Hart’s Verity system, including Verity’s latest release, certified last month by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and proven in a live election in South Carolina.
Verity® Voting’s new hybrid configuration from Hart InterCivic, featuring the innovative Verity Duo ballot marking device, made a successful national debut in a live election this month in Fairfield County, South Carolina. The successful election day helps clear the way for jurisdictions seeking a modern, secure replacement for aging equipment.
Request a Demo of Verity Duo: 866-216-4278
Voters in the precincts were pleased with the ease of a touchscreen paired with a full-size, readable paper record for their review. Verity Duo prints a simple, word-for-word record of each voter’s choices that are then scanned and captured with Hart’s patent-pending optical character recognition technology. Verity Duo offers optimal transparency by reading the same printed results a voter verifies, not a series of barcodes only readable by a machine.
The successful debut comes in the same month as Verity’s latest certification by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and state-level certification in South Carolina. The certification process for Verity’s newest release is underway in other states as well.
“An official election is the ultimate test of new technology. Verity Duo met all of our high expectations,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions.
“We are proud of this validation and look forward to additional opportunities in other states considering Verity. Hart developed Verity Duo to combine the best of touchscreen technology with a readable paper record voters can check before casting a vote,” he said. “It’s exactly what many states want.”
Voters in Fairfield County’s precincts reported that Verity was simple to use, while poll workers praised it as being easier to set up and take down than the current touchscreen-only equipment. Election workers liked the lightweight unit’s smaller footprint and collapsible booth.
In the words of one voter: “It was so simple – much easier to use than the old system.”
Efficient and cost effective, the Verity Duo arrangement is ideally suited for Early Voting and Vote Centers. Thousands of ballot styles can be easily managed electronically without the expense and complication of pre-printing paper ballots. In the warehouse, Verity’s compact footprint saves space.
Centralized polling place management allows officials to load elections on one console to open and close polls and to monitor voting devices.
Whereas some systems produce the paper record in English only, Verity is fully compliant with federal requirements for multi-language voting and provides the printed vote record in any of the 11 supported languages the voter selects. With a full complement of accessibility features, Verity supports voting privacy and independence for all voters.
Hart’s Verity system already has been in demand as counties prepare for busy election seasons. Braithwaite expects the EAC certification and the successful live election with Verity Duo to expand demand to jurisdictions looking for a touchscreen ballot marker with a paper trail.
“Our first election with Verity Duo is a huge step. We’re ready to deliver more of the same as more states come on board,” Braithwaite said.
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/verityoverview.