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Elections Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 3958 with Dominion Voting Systems for the purchase of a new voting system, including Ballot on Demand mobile ballot printing, for an amount not to exceed $866,505, including system purchase of $574,225 in year one, plus associated annual maintenance and support of $69,863 per year starting in year two, for a five year term of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024; and
2) Approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to execute further documents relating to Agreement 3958, including amendments that do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: State AB1824 Funds with up to 50% General Fund match.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County of El Dorado Elections Department is responsible for running transparent, open, thorough, and accurate elections for the voters of El Dorado County. A critical component of this responsibility is the production and tabulation of ballots using a system that is not only supported, but updated and current with proper security and compliant with all existing and changing election law.
The County is also responsible for providing an equal voting experience to all voters, including voters with disabilities and specific needs. Significant accessibility improvements have been made since the current system was implemented and it is incumbent upon the County to keep up with those improvements to ensure an equal voting opportunity for those voters with disabilities and specific needs.
The current voting system is aged. The company that originally sold it to the County closed and support of the system was transferred to a different company, Dominion Voting. While Dominion continues to provide support, system hardware components are no longer available, making it difficult to maintain. Over the past decade the original system has...
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