In a move aimed at updating Nevada's election system, officials have introduced a new statewide voter database, said to streamline voting procedures and reduce the likelihood of errors. The Voter Registration and Election Management Solutions (VREMS) program was presented by the Nevada Secretary of State Office and is set to underpin a "top-down" election process, as reported by News 3 LV.
The implementation of VREMS, a project borne out of AB422 passed in 2021, intends to unify 17 counties currently operating on standalone systems into a sole, cohesive structure. With a substantial $30 million funding boost from the state legislature in 2023, the Secretary of State's office is keen to highlight its potential to deliver more accurate, secure elections and provide near-instantaneous results. Further expounding on VREMS, state officials have noted the system's success in mock elections and continue to prepare for an additional trial in the near future, as per details from the same report.
According to Fox Reno, this week unveiled an aspect of VREMS dubbed 'Poll Pods'. These new tablets, introduced by Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and Washoe County's interim registrar of voters, Cari-Ann Burgess, are designed to accelerate the check-in process at poll stations. The previous paradigm of county-based voter databases will be replaced by a centrally managed statewide list that updates in real time.
This change addresses past discrepancies, such as coding errors following the presidential preference primary that erroneously indicated voter participation. "Those issues occurred because of those 17 separate systems that each of the counties had. 17 systems trying to feed into one system at the state level. The coding is different from county to county. There is only one system now — the counties are directly inputting data into the one system. There is not a transfer of data from the counties," Aguilar explained on Fox Reno. VREMS additionally brings the capability to detect prospective issues like double voting as it happens, enhancing the integrity of the voting process.
Today @NVSOS had local news try out Washoe County's new Poll Pads - You'll see these new check-in computers at vote centers in November. Be sure to catch your local news tonight for more information. pic.twitter.com/T3bTXIwBGk
— Washoe County (@washoecounty) September 4, 2024
