News Details

ROV to host mock election for new voting system - Oct. 16

September 6, 2019

SOLANO COUNTY – The Solano County Registrar of Voters (ROV) will host a mock election on Wednesday, October 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at eight locations across the County.  The mock election is an opportunity for the public to try out the new Verity Voting System.

"Our new voting system is a win-win for our voters and the County," said John Gardner, Solano County Assistant Registrar of Voters.  “Voters will experience a more user-friendly, modern interface where they can easily make their voting selections.  The County will benefit from a more-robust, more-secure voting and reporting system.”

8 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY

Solano County voters can appear in-person at any of the following locations throughout the County, regardless of their residence address, including:

- The Gateway, 1315 Military West, Benicia
- Veterans Memorial Hall, 1305 N. First St., Dixon
- Bethel Community Church, 600 E. Tabor Ave., Fairfield
- Solano County Administration Center (lobby), 675 Texas St., Fairfield
- Trilogy at Rio Vista, 990 Summerset Dr., Rio Vista
- Kroc Center, 586 East Wigeon Way, Suisun City
- Vacaville City Hall, 650 Merchant St., Vacaville
- Vallejo City Hall, 555 Santa Clara St., Vallejo

The mock election will ask voters to vote on things such as their favorite cartoon characters, favorite ice cream flavors, and changing the work days of the week – choices designed to ensure any drop-ins not informed of the mock election will inherently know it is a practice round.

“Creating a ballot experience similar to the characteristics of our official election ballots provides a learning opportunity for staff and volunteers using the equipment,” says Gardner.  “One of our primary goals is to develop a training and procedures program based on the process of conducting the mock election which we will use as part of the 2020 election cycle.”

The ROV also invites the public to visit the Registrar's office while processing and counting vote by mail ballots on October 16. The mock counting event will demonstrate how the new system will process vote by mail ballots as well as collecting totals from the polling places on election day.

Everyone is welcome.  No RSVP is needed – simply show up.  For more information contact the Registrar of Voters at (707) 784-6675 or visit www.SolanoCounty.com and click “Registrar of Voters.”

BACKGROUNDER ON NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT
On February 27, 2019, the Solano County Registrar of Voters (ROV), along with several other California counties, received a letter from the California Secretary of State, Office of Voting Systems Technology, stating their existing voting tabulation equipment had been decertified.  The letter made clear that existing voting systems are at or near the end of their life expectancy, with some voting system vendors no longer making replacement parts or providing support.  All existing voting equipment would need to be replaced, with new equipment certified by August, 2019 – well before the start of the 2020 election.  At their June 25, 2019 meeting the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved $2.3 million for purchase of the new voting equipment, some of which will be partially off-set by a state grant.