(Credit: KLBJ Staff)
Today, at the recommendation of Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Election Systems and Software, LLC (ES&S) for a new voting system to be used in Travis County. Under the approved $8.16 million contract, Travis County will acquire ES&S’s ExpressVote system, including software and equipment. The system will be used in Travis County polling places beginning with the November 2019 Constitutional election.
“I am thrilled Travis County will be able to provide voters with what they have been asking for – the convenience and accessibility of an electronic voting system coupled with the security of a paper trail,” said County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir. “I am proud of our team, and the work that has been done so far, and I’m grateful for the Court’s commitment to enhancing the security of the voting process in Travis County.”
Today’s vote by the Commissioners’ Court was the result of a multi-year collaboration between the Travis County Clerk’s Office, the Travis County Purchasing Office, and the Travis County Attorney’s Office, along with various internal and external stakeholders.
“It is our mission at Travis County to provide safe and secure elections, without outside interference,” added Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt. “With the new security features and added paper trail, Travis County voters can rest assured knowing their votes were properly counted.”
“ES&S is proud to partner with one of the most well-respected jurisdictions in the country. Under County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir’s leadership and commitment to excellence in government, Travis County has established itself as a national leader in the conduct of secure and reliable elections administration,” ES&S President & CEO Tom Burt said. “This is a valuable long-term investment for Travis County, and we are honored to have the opportunity to partner with Ms. DeBeauvoir and her team. We look forward to serving the voters of Travis County and the great State of Texas with our proven, secure, accurate and federally certified election products for years to come.”
Beginning in Summer 2019, the County Clerk’s office will kick-off a voter education campaign in order to provide an opportunity for voters to become familiar with the new system before it is used in polling places.
