DEPARTMENT: Elections
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Award Bid And Execute Contract For Electronic Voting System
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Public Services and Revenue Division Director, or their designee, to award bid and execute a contract with Election Systems & Software (ES&S) for an electronic voting system.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 25-142 (March 25, 2025), the County Board directed the Elections Department to move forward with executing cost-share agreements with election partners and initiate procurement of new voting equipment. All 45 cities, townships, and school districts have signed and executed a cost share agreement to contribute their respective portions of the new voting equipment costs.
A Voting Equipment Procurement Update was provided to the General Government and Policy Committee on September 9, 2025, and reviewed a synopsis of the equipment procurement process to date. The Elections Department released an RFP on May 9, 2025, and five vendors submitted proposals in response in June. The Department elected to see demonstrations from four vendors: all of the vendors currently certified in the state of Minnesota. Those demonstrations occurred in August and gave municipal clerks, election judges, and community members the opportunity to see how different systems work, ask questions, and provide feedback. Dozens of municipal clerks, their deputies and election judges were in attendance. We also invited accessibility advocacy groups and members of the disability community and had voters with visual and hearing impairments attend demonstrations. The input gathered helped to guide staff recommendation on which equipment best meets the needs of our voters and community.
This purchase includes all required equipment, including hardware, software, training, and support. Updating this equipment ensures that our elections continue to be secure, accurate, and efficient, while also meeting standards required b...
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