Election software firm Everyone Counts has raised $20 million in debt and equity financing to push its electronic voting technology into more county and state governments. The influx of capital comes as the San Diego company awaits federal certification for its secure digital voting system – expected no later than the first quarter of next year, said Chief Executive Lori Steele. Approval by the Election Assistance Commission would pave the way for county and state elections officials to offer digital voting via computers, tablets or smartphones – both in polling places and remotely. “The interesting thing is we will be the only software-based voting system that is hardware agnostic that is (EAC) certified – probably for the next two years,” said Steele on Thursday.
Up until now, Everyone Counts’ Web-based software has been used to power absentee electronic balloting for overseas voters, including military personnel.
It also has been deployed in pilot projects in Oregon, Colorado, Washington and elsewhere for disabled voters to cast ballots via tablets without having to travel to the polls.
The Holy Grail for Everyone Counts, however, is to power digital balloting for all voters. “We have been slogging at this for 10 years, and we have finally reached the tipping point,” said Steele.
Full Article: Everyone Counts raises funds to push electronic voting into the mainstream | SanDiegoUnionTribune.com.