SEC Seeks New Statewide Voting System Solution

COLUMBIA, SC (December 7, 2018) - The State Election Commission (SEC) in conjunction with the State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA) today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for South Carolina’s next statewide voting system. The SEC is seeking a uniform, statewide voting system solution that features a paper record of each voter’s voted ballot to replace the current paperless system. The SEC expects to implement the new system by January 2020.

A new voting system will not only provide the state with a dependable system that will serve voters for years to come but will also improve the security and resilience of our election process. Having a paper record of each voter’s voted ballot will add an important layer of security as it allows for post-election audits of ballots to verify vote totals.

The SEC is issuing the RFP now to allow adequate time for evaluation of voting system proposals and subsequent implementation by January 2020. The SEC continues working with the S.C. General Assembly to acquire funding for this replacement effort.

Any vendor with a voting system certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is encouraged to submit a proposal. Certified systems include both those using hand-marked paper ballots and those that produce paper ballots using a ballot-marking device. Vendor proposals are due by March 4, 2019. The proposal evaluation process will be overseen by the SFAA. Proposals will be evaluated by a committee of state and county election officials to determine which solution provides the most value to the voters of South Carolina. The SEC expects a new system to be chosen by Summer 2019.

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