Title
Elections Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment 3 of Agreement 3958 with Liberty Vote USA, Inc. for the County's voting system, extending the initial agreement for an additional five years, with a new term expiration date of June 30, 2031, and increasing the agreement amount by $600,000, for a new total compensation amount not to exceed $1,800,000; and
2) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute any further documents determined necessary related to Amendment III of Agreement 3958 including amendments which do not increase the total compensation amount or term of the Agreement, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: State Grant Funding (75%) and General Fund (25%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Liberty Vote USA, Inc. (formerly known as Dominion Voting Systems) provides the voting system hardware and software for the El Dorado County Elections Department. The system provides ballot layout, ballot printing, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ballot marking devices, tabulation and reporting results for an election.
The Liberty Vote USA, Inc was selected by a committee comprised of County voters, members of the Democrat and Republican Central Committees, League of Women Voters, County IT, Elections staff, and an analyst from the Chief Administrative Office. The system meets all California State and Federal Certification requirements and is certified by the California Secretary of State’s Office. The Elections Department has been using Liberty Vote USA, Inc. system since July 1, 2019. The current contract will expire on June 30, 2031.
The Amendment 3 to Agreement 3958 adds an additional five years to the agreement and increases compensation by $600,000, for a new agreement total not to exceed $1,800,000. The amendment includes voting system replacement for mandated security enhancements, software updates, and system improvements necessary to be in compliance with the Secretary of State's voting system certification standards. The yearly cost may increase up to 3% annually with Amendment 3. The cost breakdown in the Amendment is as follows:
Voting System Replacement $141,242.95
FY 2026-27 $86,131.17
FY 2027-28 $88,714.75
FY 2028-29 $91,375.98
FY 2029-30 $94,117.19
FY 2030-31 $96,940.72
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to approve the proposed Amendment 3 to Liberty Vote USA, Inc. Agreement 3958. This action would leave the Voting System out of state mandated certification compliance.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 19-0904 - June 25, 2019 - The Board approved the original Agreement
Legistar file 20-0996 - September 25, 2020 - The Board approved Amendment 1
Legistar file 24-0610 - June 18, 2024 - The Board approved Amendment 2
Legistar file 26-0056 - January 13, 2026 - Grant Award
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Department received a grant award for $144,090 with a 25% County match of $36,022 (Legistar file 26-0056). Grant award and county match have been included in the Department's budget for FY 2026-27.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair's signature on Amendment 3 and forward fully executed original to the Elections Department.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Linda Webster, Registrar of Voters