Agenda

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City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:

06/04/2019

BACKGROUND

In an effort to achieve the ongoing goal of meeting the voting needs of the residents of Bexar County, Bexar County determined the need to purchase a new electronic voting system.

On March 26, 2019 the Bexar County Election Administrator voted unanimously for the new Electronic Voting System to Election System & Software (ES&S) upon approval of the contract by the Texas Secretary of State.

The County adopted this system on May 21, 2019 in their Commissioners Court.

The Texas Secretary of State has officially approved the contract between Bexar County and ES&S for the purchase of the Express Vote Universal Voting System.

The Express Vote Universal Voting System consists of many components; i.e., the ExpressVote Ballot Marking Device, the DS200 precinct digital scanner and tabulator, the DS450 high speed central scanner and tabulator, the ExpressTouch DRE and Electionware election management software.

The County has purchased the Express Vote Universal Voting System which is a “hybrid” system. It combines the touch screen voting experience with a paper ballot that prints out once the voter has reviewed the selections on the touch screen. The voter then deposits the paper ballot in a ballot scanner for counting. The ballot is retained in the scanner’s ballot box. This paper ballot is what is actually counted and can be utilized later for recount or audit purposes, if necessary.

The Texas Election Code (Section 123.001) requires that both the County and any entities that contract with the county for their elections adopt the new voting equipment prior to their first election using the system. The adoption action should include the following information:

Name of Vendor
Name of Voting System
Type of Equipment
What part of the election process it will be used for (early voting in person, early voting by mail, election day and provisional ballots)
What elections will it be used for (all elections or just certain elections)

Bexar County is planning to hold several training sessions as well as post on their website the ease of use of the new equipment.

Additionally, this is same voting equipment we approved in March that Guadalupe County will be using in the November Election.

GOAL

Meeting the voting needs of the residents of Bexar County.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

Meeting the voting needs of the residents of Bexar County with the ease of use of the equipment as well as having all residents of Bexar and Guadalupe County utilizing the same voting equipment for the upcoming November election.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve Resolution No. 19-R-68 adopting the Bexar County Election System and Software.

FISCAL IMPACT

None at this time, but once the November 5, 2019 election is called, cost estimates for both Guadalupe and Bexar County will be submitted. Election costs are budgeted each year.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends Council approve Resolution No. 19-R-68 adopting the Bexar County Election System and Software.

Attachments
Resolution
Bexar ES&S information
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