When Roberts County voters go to the polls for their next election, they will be using paper ballots for the first time since 2006. The County is implementing paper-trail voting with Verity® Voting, the most up-to-date, secure election technology available.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
Verity, from the County’s trusted election partner Hart InterCivic, was selected in late 2018. Hart has delivered the new equipment to this Panhandle town.
“We’ve wanted to return to a paper trail system for some time, and I started preparing for the budget about a year ago,” said County and District Clerk Toni Rankin, who recommended the change. “Now, with the Commissioners’ approval, it all came together.”
“We thank Roberts County for their confidence in Hart. We are pleased the flexible Verity system will deliver the paper-based voting solution that is right for the County,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “We’ve partnered with Roberts County since 2006 and look forward to successful elections there for many more years to come.”
Designed and built in Texas, Verity is certified at the federal and state levels. More than half of the voters in Texas cast their ballots on Hart’s voting systems, and Verity is a natural next step for those ready to modernize.
Starting with the November General Election, Roberts County voters will hand-mark paper ballots or mark them using the Verity Touch Writer accessible ballot marking device. Ballots are cast by scanning them using the system’s voter-friendly digital Verity Scan. Hart designed Verity with the flexibility to be used for paper, hybrid or electronic voting.
Hart’s solid reputation and excellent customer service supported Roberts County’s decision. Shifting to paper ballots is a complex operational task that calls for change management expertise, which Hart provides.
“Hart is a stable company and is known all over the country. We’ve been happy with Hart, and we know they will be here for the long term,” said Rankin, who has more than 20 years’ experience working with elections.
Roberts County joins a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of the system in late 2016, Hart has shipped more than 10,000 Verity devices across the State. First federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.
Braithwaite expects more announcements as additional jurisdictions choose Verity.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/
Comal County Commissioners voted unanimously last month to switch to the new Verity® Voting system from Hart InterCivic. The decision was based on Verity’s reputation as an easy and efficient voting solution as well as the extraordinary customer service that Hart has provided the County. Hart delivered the equipment Jan. 4.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
“We fell in love with Verity based on what we saw in demos and on what we heard from some large counties,” said County Clerk Bobbie Koepp, who has more than 20 years’ experience working with elections. “We were especially impressed with the good feedback from Lubbock and Hidalgo counties after they moved to Verity early on.”
“Plus we have confidence in Hart. We know that even their legacy system is easier and faster than the competitor’s system they replaced for us in 2015. We’ve always had easier elections and faster results with Hart,” she said.
“Comal County has chosen trustworthy, flexible technology that will deliver the performance they demand. We are proud to continue as their election partner,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “We appreciate their confidence in Verity and in Hart.”
Comal County election officials are focusing on unpacking and testing the 275 devices that were delivered last month. They’ve brought in a team including election judges and poll workers to help verify the equipment is operating properly and ready for training sessions this month.
“The people on the front lines are the ones getting to know the system first,” said Cynthia Jaqua, Elections Coordinator since 2014. Other workers are busy preparing storage carts and moveable trays for the compact, briefcase-style devices. Comal County serves more than 99,000 registered voters across 28 precincts, and transport is an important consideration.
Koepp and Jaqua also have extensive plans for voter education before Verity’s May debut. They’re planning an open house with Verity demonstrations and setting up a mock election from start to finish. Information is shared regularly with the public, including on Facebook pages for both the County and County Clerk department.
“We’re looking forward to Verity’s user friendly touchscreen, and the voters are ready for it, too,” Koepp said. “We also expect easier preparation and even faster vote counting. Our current system is faster than our previous devices, but the new technology should be even faster. From what we know about Verity, it should be simple and very secure. I believe that it is more trustworthy than other options. We are working to get the word out.”
“Verity is made in Texas, by Texans,” said Jaqua. “During a recent conference, we were able to go to the factory to see it being put together. The detail work is impressive.”
Comal County officials also appreciate the personal attention from Hart’s Texas team. “Hart’s support staff is the most wonderful I have ever met. We could not ask for anything better,” said Koepp. “Whoever I talk to is professional and helpful. Programming. Support. Sales. Project managers. Election Day managers. They are all the best. That counts.”
Comal County joins a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of the system in late 2016, Hart has shipped more than 9,800 Verity devices across Texas. First federally certified in 2015, the secure and flexible system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.
Koepp has advice for those considering a switch. “It’s simple. Go with Hart, and you’ll be happy and satisfied in all aspects.”
Braithwaite expects more announcements this year as additional jurisdictions choose Verity to replace aging systems.
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/
Columbia County officials have chosen the most modern, secure election technology available to replace voting equipment in use since 2005.
The new Verity® Voting system from long-time election partner Hart InterCivic was selected for its efficiency. The County’s decision was also influenced by Hart’s history of excellent customer support in Columbia and nearby counties.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
“We’ve been with Hart for a long time, and they have been very good to the County – responsive to phone calls, right there to help and provide answers,” said County Auditor Anne Higgins, who witnessed the relationship during her year as a deputy preceding her recent election to the Auditor position.
Higgins also compared experiences with nearby counties, including Asotin County, which recently announced its Verity purchase, and Hart partner Garfield County. “We talk all the time. We like to purchase the same products, if possible, so that we can support each other; we’re all small counties,” she said. “In our disaster recovery plans, we back up and support each other to ensure that all operations continue, even elections. If something goes wrong, we can help through equipment and/or personnel sharing.”
“Momentum for Verity is growing in Washington, and we thank Columbia County for their confidence in Hart,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “Hart pioneered digital ballot scanning, and Verity’s secure technology is reliable, efficient and trustworthy.”
During the selection discussion, Higgins appreciated the fact that one of the Columbia County commissioners sits on the Canvassing Board and is part of the election process. “They understand when we discuss the efficiencies we will achieve. They understand the working relationship that we already have with the vendor.” Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the Verity purchase.
Verity equipment delivery has begun, with installation and training scheduled for late February. The system may be used as early as April if a special election is called.
“We look forward to the streamlined workflow and efficiencies we expect to gain from this improved system,” Higgins said, adding that the County’s existing relationship with Hart will make the transition that much easier.
In addition, she looks forward to using Verity Build for on-demand ballot creation and printing and Verity Central for central scanning of by-mail ballots. Verity Touch Writer will provide voters with ADA-compliant ballot marking.
“Verity is going to make our jobs a lot easier,” she said.
Federally and state certified since 2015, Verity is in use in numerous jurisdictions throughout the U.S. and was recently adopted by Washington’s Clark County, which processes more than 200,000 mail-in ballots over a typical election cycle.
Braithwaite expects more announcements throughout the year as additional jurisdictions adopt Verity.
Brazos County, with more than 100,000 registered voters, is implementing Verity® Voting, the most transparent, secure election technology available. Verity, from the county’s trusted election partner Hart InterCivic, topped the competition in a thorough round of research and hands-on testing.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278.
“We started from scratch and brought in both eligible vendors for security demonstrations and mock elections,” said Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock. “We had more than 200 citizens show up to try out the two systems – one on each side of the room. We heard lots of feedback. We value transparency and public input.”
“Ultimately, we decided that Hart’s Verity would best serve our county. Verity offers security features that go above and beyond what is available with the competitor. Plus, we value Hart’s integrity,” added Hancock, who has about 20 years’ experience working with elections.
“Brazos County has partnered with Hart since 2002, and we’ve worked diligently to meet their growing needs over the years. We are honored that they have chosen Verity to take their elections into the future,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions.
Local news coverage of the Commissioners’ choice.
The county took delivery of new equipment in mid-January, and the 78 pallets will be opened and tested in early February. Training will begin soon after as Hancock’s office prepares for fall elections.
“I’m looking forward to an easy transition for our workers and for our citizens,” Hancock said. “Verity is user-friendly, with a touchscreen. In a huge college town, we know that is going to be a hit.” The County is home to College Station and Texas A&M University, with more than 64,000 students.
“Long-term, we are confident that the lower costs associated with Verity – consumables and licensing, for example – will also make our citizens happy. Cost was a factor in our choice,” she said. “We also have tremendous customer support from Hart. They take very good care of us.”
Verity is a federally and state certified system designed and built in Texas. More than half of the voters in Texas cast their ballots on Hart’s voting systems. Verity is a natural next step for those ready to modernize. The system has the flexibility to be used for paper, hybrid or electronic voting. Brazos County will use the electronic version in their popular Voting Centers. “Electronic voting has been good for our county for 15 years. Our voters should be confident, and this transition should be smooth for them. That’s important,” Hancock said.
Brazos County joins a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of the system in late 2016, Hart has shipped more than 9,800 Verity devices across the State. First federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.
Braithwaite expects more announcements as additional jurisdictions choose Verity over other available options.
“It can be a long process,” Hancock reminds other counties considering new solutions. “But it is important to be sure what is best and right for your county.”
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/
Looking ahead to streamlined workflow and trustworthy support, Asotin County leaders recently adopted the new Verity® Voting system from long-time election partner Hart InterCivic. The most modern, secure technology available, Verity replaces a Hart system more than a decade old.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278.
“We have enjoyed excellent customer support from Hart since 2005,” said County Auditor Darla McKay. “Choosing Verity means we stay with Hart, and we know what to expect in the future. We have a great working relationship.”
“Thank you, Asotin County, for your confidence in Hart and Verity,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “Hart pioneered digital ballot scanning, and our decade-plus experience with the technology has strongly influenced Verity’s design. Verity’s secure technology will serve you reliably for many years. You’ve chosen the easiest, most efficient high-speed scanning system on the market.”
Verity is a versatile election system with state-of-the-art hardware and software features that make by-mail voting secure and transparent. A main component of the U.S.-built system is Verity Central, with streamlined workflow, logical onscreen adjudication and no ballot pre-sorting required. See Verity’s next-generation digital ballot scanning and adjudication efficiency in action.
McKay, recently re-elected to her third term as auditor, also cited value in the county’s decision. “The price from Hart was the most competitive. We look forward to continuing with them. They understand our needs.”
Asotin County has taken delivery of the new technology but will complete the current election cycle in February before training begins. The County will debut Verity for its August election, and McKay is looking forward to Verity’s ease of use. “Verity should make it easier to create a ballot. There will be fewer steps.”
She also expects the Verity Touch Writer unit for ADA compliant accessible voting to provide easy options for those requiring accommodations. The unit is a standalone ballot marking device with an audio tactile interface that allows voters who cannot complete a paper ballot to generate a paper ballot marked with their selections. The ballot is counted following regular processing procedures.
Federally and state certified since 2015, Verity is in use in numerous jurisdictions throughout the U.S., and recently adopted by Washington’s Clark County, which processes more than 200,000 mail-in ballots over a typical election cycle.
Braithwaite expects more announcements throughout the year as additional jurisdictions adopt Verity to replace aging election technology.
Big Stone County officials have chosen the Verity® Voting system from Hart InterCivic to replace their aging election equipment from another vendor. Updated technology and a streamlined package were compelling features in Big Stone’s choice.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
“Verity’s technology is advanced compared to what we had. And we liked that we could buy both the tabulation equipment and the assistive voting machine together,” said County Auditor Michelle Knutson. “We visited with various vendors in 2018, and in demonstrations, Verity looks easy to use.”
“Thank you for choosing Verity and welcome to the growing Hart family,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S.-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “We are glad to be able to provide all of Big Stone County’s election solutions in one purchase and we look forward to working with you to ensure the success of your elections for many years.”
Knutson is pleased to replace machines more than a decade old and chose to purchase before the end of the year, using the state’s 50/50 funding match. New devices have already been delivered, and their smaller footprint is good news.
“Most of our precincts are mail-in, so we use the tabulating devices in the courthouse. We don’t have a lot of space, so we like the size of Verity. Our old tabulators had huge steel bins that took up a ton of space, but our new equipment fits on shelving in our storage room – we can finally see the floor,” Knutson said. The compact, briefcase-style Verity is also easier to transport as necessary.
“Verity seems easy to use and easy to learn. The easier we can make it for our election judges, the better,” she added. “Newer technology going forward should be faster, so we are excited.”
First federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient Verity system is also in use in Ramsey and Chisago counties in Minnesota and in numerous counties throughout the U.S.
“We asked Chisago County how they liked Verity’s programming features and Hart’s customer service,” Knutson said. “We were leaning toward choosing Hart and Verity based on demonstrations and were glad to hear positive reviews from fellow election officials. Chisago (County) said they would do it again, so we got a good reference from someone we know. We jumped in.”
“One of the other things we are excited about is that Hart personnel will be onsite for our first election in 2020,” said Knutson. “We are looking forward to that level of customer service.”
Knutson also pointed out the on-demand ballot printing feature of the Touch Writer accessible ballot-marking device. “We won’t need to worry about running out of ballots. That’s a bonus.”
Braithwaite expects more announcements as additional jurisdictions choose Verity.
Hart InterCivic announced today that Sam Derheimer has joined its leadership team as Director of Government Affairs. A voting and elections policy expert, Derheimer will keep Hart’s certification, operations, product management, sales and marketing teams apprised of legislative trends, cybersecurity advances and related issues.
“The addition of the government affairs role and a director of Sam’s caliber signals Hart’s ongoing commitment to remaining at the forefront of the election technology industry,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, a U.S. company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “As Hart continues to gain market share, we remain focused on advancing democracy by providing forward-looking products and services that address the diverse needs of jurisdictions across the nation. Staying ahead of election policy best positions us to fulfill that commitment.”
Derheimer comes to Hart from an election policy consultancy and 10 years’ service with The Pew Charitable Trusts, where he applied data analytics to optimize the effectiveness of election administration practices. His increasingly critical roles with the independent nonprofit included managing Pew’s Election Initiatives project team and helping develop and build the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and the Voting Information Project (VIP), among many other projects.
“I have dedicated my career to being at the front line of elections policy and technology,” Derheimer said. “Coming to Hart is a natural transition. The more we empower election officials with the tools and knowledge they need, the stronger our democracy. At Hart, I get to help provide the best tools.”
“The focus of my work has always been the election administrators,” Derheimer said. “Hart and I share a deep commitment to supporting the people managing our elections – this is the way to make the entire voting process better for everyone.”
Derheimer earned his Juris Doctor from the McKinney School of Law at Indiana University and his BA (Cum Laude) in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.
GALVESTON, Texas, January 10, 2019 – After serious consideration of all options, Galveston County Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 17 to adopt the new Verity® Voting system from Hart InterCivic, a trusted election partner to the County since 2006.
Request a Verity Demo: 866-216-4278
“Verity and Hart add up to a huge benefit for our taxpayers,” said County Clerk Dwight Sullivan. “We’ve been through crunch times with Hart, and they’ve proved to be a true partner, not just another vendor. They have integrity. Plus, Verity is a perfect match for our Vote Centers, without additional expense.”
“All kinds of vendors came at us – and we looked into them – but the bottom line is that Hart has more experience than any other with our Vote Center approach,” said Ernest Murrie, Chief Deputy of Elections for the County. “We did our research, and we saw that the competition does not perform like Hart. We trust Hart’s product and their service.”
“We’ve partnered with Galveston County for more than a decade, and we greatly value their confidence in Hart and Verity,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. “They’ve chosen flexible, trustworthy technology that will serve them for years to come. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership.”
Verity is the most up-to-date election technology available and is designed and built in Texas. More than half of the voters in Texas cast their ballots on Hart’s voting systems, and Verity is a natural next step for those ready to purchase a new system.
“We’ve been planning this purchase with our commissioners since 2012, and they understood that it was time to make this investment for the long run,” Sullivan said. “We like that Hart is a Texas company with a secure product that is built stateside. USA-built is important for security and longevity.”
Verity has the flexibility to be used for paper, hybrid or electronic voting. Galveston County voters will use Verity Touch, featuring the latest security protections and all new hardware and software.
“We believe that Verity’s touchscreen will be well loved by our voters,” said Sullivan, who was recently elected to his third term in office. “User-friendly touchscreens should speed up voting, and Verity’s proven reliability and security meet our high expectations.”
With more than 200,000 registered voters to serve, Sullivan sought input from existing Verity partners and neighboring counties. “I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews,” he said. “Chambers, Brazoria, Nueces… and more. Great feedback. Of course, our own experience with Hart speaks volumes, too. If we ever have an issue, they are Johnny-on-the-spot with solutions. I can’t say enough about Hart’s customer service.”
Delivery of the new technology started Jan. 7, leaving plenty of time for local testing and training before the May election.
“Hart is committed to making this transition go well. We expect training and programming for poll workers to be simple and a smooth experience for our voters,” Murrie said. He also appreciates the convenience and efficiency of Hart’s controller model, which allows officials to manage up to 12 voting terminals from a single console.
Galveston County joins a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of the system in late 2016, Hart has shipped more than 9,000 Verity devices across Texas. First federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S.
Braithwaite expects more announcements throughout 2019 as additional jurisdictions choose Verity to replace aging systems.
Murrie has advice for those considering a switch. “Make sure you check out the options out there, and feel comfortable with your choice. We found out that Hart has the best product for us, and we made the commitment to get it right. We’ll have Verity for a very long time.”
Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/
The Verity® Voting system from Hart InterCivic is newly certified for elections in New Jersey, having passed rigorous testing at the state and federal levels. By certifying Verity, the New Jersey Department of State allows local jurisdictions to choose the most up-to-date election technology available in the United States.
A secure and sustainable system, Verity is a proven solution backed by an established election partner known across the U.S. for outstanding customer service.
“Verity brings choice to New Jersey. The best choice! Since we are new to the state, we are very eager to show voters an easier, more trustworthy experience. Thank you for this opportunity,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of election experience.
“When counties choose Verity to replace outdated equipment, they can expect the most modern system available and the most reliable customer support in the industry. Hart customers consistently report a high level of satisfaction with our service.”
Initially federally certified in 2015, Verity is an integrated suite of software and a thoughtful combination of U.S.-assembled, purpose-built devices and enterprise-grade commercial hardware, designed from the ground up to make the election process easier and more secure for voters and administrators. The system supports paper ballots, and it is fully accessible to all voters, including those with disabilities.
Voters mark their ballots by hand or with the user-friendly Verity Touch Writer, an ADA-compliant paper ballot marking device that provides seamless accessibility at the polling place. Verity Scan allows voters to feed their marked ballots directly into the tabulation device and verify their cast votes.
Verity Print is an on-demand ballot printing solution that saves on the guesswork and waste of pre-printing ballots. The menu-driven device is designed specifically to be easy to learn and easy to use for poll workers. Unlike other on-demand ballot printing solutions on the market, Verity Print does not impose per-click charges.
Verity’s advantages for New Jersey include:
- 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.
“Hart appreciates New Jersey’s confidence in our Verity system. Now the time is right for jurisdictions in the State to move forward with the all-new voting technology their voters deserve,” Braithwaite said.
For more information about Verity for New Jersey, please visit https://www.hartintercivic.com/state/newjersey/.
Officials in two Kentucky counties credit their recent adoption of Verity® Voting, the most modern, secure election technology available, for seamless November elections despite the heaviest voter turnout since 2014.
County clerks in Marshall and Trimble counties gave high marks to the flexible Verity system from Hart InterCivic and praised customer service from Harp Enterprises, an exclusive reseller for Hart election solutions in Kentucky and several nearby states. Marshall and Trimble counties are the first in Kentucky to adopt Verity’s paper ballot option, although other jurisdictions are expected to move forward with the system.
“We had no problems. All precincts reported sooner than ever,” said Trimble County Clerk Tina Browning, who has served the County for 25 years. “Verity is so easy to use; we just love it. Closing out at the end of Election Day is a cinch – we like the security and ease of use. We appreciate knowing the system is never connected to the internet.”
“Verity is superior to anything else on the market,” she added.
Trimble County first used Verity in May, and both elections were great, Browning said. “Our constituents found the scanner to be completely intuitive to use. The lighted arrows – we call them ‘landing lights’ – show voters exactly where the ballot goes for scanning.”
“We were thrilled to be the first in Kentucky to purchase Verity, and we’re proud to be a Hart InterCivic county,” she said.
“One factor for us when deciding to purchase Verity is how easy it is for a person with disabilities to vote independently,” she said. “We have a 16-year-old Braille champion in Trimble County. I can’t wait for him to be old enough to vote on this system!”
In Marshall County, a destructive warehouse fire in early 2018 prompted an expedited switch to Verity to replace burned equipment before spring voting. County Clerk Tim York credits Harp’s training and support for a smooth transition. “They do a great job. Harp takes the importance of elections to heart.”
York also praised Verity’s modern and transparent features. “I trust them with security improvements. Verity’s error handling is much better – more specific instructions for voters – much simpler. For example, if a voter selects too many options for a race, the system tells them exactly what the error was and what to do next.”
York, who has been County Clerk since 2010, expects Verity to serve his voters reliably for many years. “The Verity equipment is sturdy, and the polling place devices come in lockable cases. Plus, the battery backup gives us the peace of mind of knowing our constituents can keep voting if a precinct loses power.”
As for other jurisdictions considering a switch to Verity, York has advice. “Act now. Verity is built for the future, and it’s a significant improvement over older technology. Your job will be easier, and your voters will be happier. You can’t beat the customer service either.”
“We are proud to hear glowing feedback like this from Kentucky’s first Verity users. Their words are proof of confidence in great technology that leaves aging equipment in the dust,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic. “We value our strong heritage in Kentucky through our partner, Harp Enterprises, and we salute smooth elections in the Commonwealth for many years to come.”
For more information on the Verity Voting system, please visit www.hartintercivic.com/voting-solutions/verityoverview/.