In the last two years, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office added significant election upgrades in preparation for the 2024 General Election. Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker, who pushed for these enhancements, believes the new additions will increase transparency, security and safety of the election process and bring voters the peace of mind that their votes are counted securely and accurately.

Voter Registration Maintenance Program

In February 2023, the Clerk and Recorder’s Office began using Experian’s data to check its voter rolls. This is beneficial for several reasons:

• Accuracy in Voter Registration: Experian, a credit reporting agency, has up-to-date and comprehensive information on individuals’ addresses. By cross-referencing voter rolls with Experian’s data, the Elections Department can identify outdated or incorrect voter information, such as old addresses. This helps maintain accurate voter lists, reducing the risk of errors during an election.
• Fraud Detection: One key benefit is the potential to detect and prevent voter fraud. By comparing voter roll data with Experian’s extensive databases, suspicious patterns can be identified, such as multiple registrations under the same name or cases where deceased individuals are still listed on the rolls.
• Enhanced Voter Outreach: Accurate voter rolls ensure that communication efforts, such as sending out election notices, voter guides, and ballots, reach the correct addresses. This improves voter engagement and confidence and reduces the likelihood of undelivered mail or missed notifications. El Paso County has seen a 245% decrease in undeliverable ballots over the last three elections, since this was implemented.
• Compliance with Legal Requirements: Many jurisdictions have legal obligations to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter rolls. Using a reliable data source like Experian helps my office comply with these requirements, avoiding potential legal issues.

Checking voter rolls against Experian’s data enhances the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process by ensuring voter information in El Paso County is accurate and up to date.

New Ballot Printing Vendor

In 2023, the Clerk and Recorder’s Office partnered with a new ballot printing vendor, K&H Printers. It is a leading ballot printing and mailing service provider in the United States, known for its expertise in vote-by-mail systems. K&H is highly regarded for its ability to handle large-scale, complex elections with precision and security.

One of the critical features of K&H’s services is its stringent security protocols. These include secure data management, rigorous access controls, and disaster recovery plans to ensure that election materials are handled carefully. For instance, its facilities are equipped with 24-hour security, segregated and caged containment areas, and redundant data backups to prevent disruptions in the election process.

K&H’s capacity is also noteworthy — it can print and mail over one million ballots daily, making it capable of managing high-demand election periods. This capacity is supported by its advanced printing technology and meticulous quality control processes, which ensures ballots are printed accurately and delivered on time.

Its services are not limited to vote-by-mail. K&H also provides ballots for VSPC sites and handles other election related materials such as printing logic and accuracy test decks, voter information guides and return envelopes. This versatility, with the focus on accuracy and security, makes K&H a trusted partner for the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office.

Ballot Box Security Cameras

The Clerk & Recorder’s Office recently enhanced the security of ballot drop boxes by installing new security cameras. The cameras are part of a broader effort to ensure the transparency and integrity of the voting process in the county. They continuously monitor ballot drop boxes live, allowing election officials and the public to observe the process in real time.

This initiative is designed to deter tampering and ensure that all ballots are securely collected and processed. The cameras are strategically placed to cover all angles of the drop boxes, and the footage is stored securely. Live and historical views are accessible via a public site as well as detailed views for authorized users. The system has the capacity to hold footage for up to 10 years, if necessary. This far exceeds the Secretary of State’s rule of maintaining this data for 25 months. This step aligns with the Clerk and Recorder’s commitment to maintaining a secure and transparent election process in El Paso County.

The office also installed security monitors in the main hallway, which displays live security camera footage of our ballot processing and tabulation rooms, providing additional transparency to the public.

These measures reflect the Office’s focus on building public trust and ensuring that all votes are counted accurately and securely. The new security cameras are just one part of a comprehensive approach to election security, which also includes using rigorous chain-of-custody procedures and regular audits of the ballot-handling process.

New Mail Tracking System

The new MARS (Mail-In Automated Retrieval System) is a sophisticated solution developed by K&H Printers to streamline and secure the process of handling mail-in ballots. The MARS system automates the sorting, scanning, and recording returned mail-in ballots, significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of the vote-by-mail process.

Key Features of the MARS System:

• Automated Sorting: MARS uses advanced barcode scanning technology to quickly sort ballots by precinct or district, ensuring that they are accurately routed and processed.
• Secure Scanning and Verification: The system scans each ballot to verify its authenticity and checks against voter records, reducing the potential for errors or fraud.
• Real-Time Data Tracking: MARS provides election officials with real-time data on the number of ballots received, their status in the processing pipeline, and other critical information. This transparency enhances the overall integrity of the election process.
• Chain of Custody Management: The system is designed with strict chain-of-custody protocols, ensuring that each ballot is securely handled from the moment it is received until it is counted.
• Scalability: MARS is built to handle large volumes of ballots, making it ideal for counties with significant numbers of mail-in voters. Its scalable design ensures that ballots can be processed efficiently and securely, even during peak election periods.

Implementing the MARS system is part of the Clerk & Recorder’s Office’s broader commitment to election security and efficiency.

New Tabulation and Vote Center Equipment

In 2023, the Clerk & Recorder’s Office replaced all of the old ballot tabulation machines with new ones, as well as replaced old laptops and Ballot on Demand printers used at VSPCs. This was beneficial for several reasons:

• Enhanced Security: Newer equipment typically comes with updated security features that address vulnerabilities found in older models. These include better encryption, improved safeguards against tampering or hacking, and the inability to connect to the internet or external networks, all of which are crucial in ensuring the integrity of the election process.
• Increased Reliability: New machines are less likely to experience technical issues, ensuring a smooth operation on Election Day and minimizing the risk of delays or hardware malfunction.
• Better User Experience: Newer machines are often more user-friendly for voters and election officials. This can include more precise instructions, straightforward navigation, and intuitive interfaces, which helps ensure votes are cast and counted correctly.
• Compliance with Updated Standards: Election standards and regulations evolve. New machines are more likely to comply with the latest Federal and State requirements for voting systems, ensuring the election process meets current legal standards.
• Public Confidence: Replacing old equipment with new ones can help bolster public confidence in the electoral process. When voters know the most up-to-date technology is being used, they are more likely to trust their votes will be counted accurately and fairly.

Overall, upgrading election equipment is a proactive step that enhances the security, reliability, and accuracy of the election process, ensuring our elections run smoothly and the results are trustworthy.

Comprehensive Election Website

The Clerk & Recorder’s Office recently launched a new website called the EPC VIP (El Paso County Voter Information Portal). This website is designed to provide voters with comprehensive and up-to-date information about elections in El Paso County.

Key Features of the EPC VIP Website:

• Real-Time Voter Turnout Tracking: The website offers real-time data on voter turnout, allowing users to see how many people have voted so far during the election period. This feature helps promote transparency and provides insight into voter participation.
• Ballot Drop Box and Voting Center Information: The EPC VIP site includes detailed information about the locations of ballot drop boxes and voting centers. Users can access maps, directions, and hours of operation, so finding where to vote or drop off ballots is easier than ever.
• Public Webcam Access: The website provides public access to webcams to monitor ballot drop boxes and enhance transparency. This feature allows voters to verify their ballots are securely handled and collected.
• Historical Election Data: The website also archives data from past elections, allowing voters and researchers to review voter turnout and other election-related information from previous years.
• Integration with Other Data Sources: The EPC VIP website integrates voter data with census and County Assessor information, providing a more comprehensive view of voter demographics and trends within the county.

This new tool reflects the Clerk & Recorder’s commitment to improving election transparency and voter access, ensuring voters in El Paso County have the information they need to participate confidently in the electoral process.

Ballot Verification Project

The Clerk & Recorder’s Office has signed a contract with Civera to implement a new system that allows citizens to audit Ballots and the Vote Cast Record after each election. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase transparency and public trust in the electoral process by:

• Citizen Access to Audits: The contract ensures that after each election, citizens can audit the Ballot images and the corresponding Vote Cast Records. This means that voters can verify ballots were counted correctly, contributing to greater confidence in the election results.
• Enhance Transparency: The Clerk and Recorder’s Office promotes transparency by providing public access to these audit tools. The system allows independent verification of the election outcomes, making the process more open and trustworthy.
• Security and Privacy: The Civera system includes redaction features that protect voter privacy by removing sensitive information before ballot images are made public. This ensures that, while transparency is maintained, individual voter confidentiality is not compromised.
• Public Confidence: This move is to enhance public confidence in the electoral process by giving citizens a direct role in verifying the accuracy of the election results. Knowing that a system exists for independent audits reassures the public that the election is fair and secure.

Overall, this contract with Civera represents a significant step forward in election transparency and security for El Paso County, ensuring the electoral process is open and trustworthy.

Election Grant Upgrades

The HAVA Grant refers to funding provided under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), a Federal Law passed in 2002 in response to the issue encountered during the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election. The HAVA Grant program is designed to improve the administration of elections in the United States by providing states and local governments with the necessary funds to upgrade voting systems, enhance election security, improve voter registration, and ensure accessibility for voters with disabilities.

2024 El Paso County HAVA Grant Upgrades:

• Bullet Proof Window Tint on Ft. Carons Ballot Processing and Ft. Carson Tabulation Rooms
• Camera & Intercom for Peterson Tabulation Room
• 3 New Ballot Boxes with Security Cameras
• 15 APC Back-UPS PRO – for VSPC Power Back-Up
• 41 New Ballot Box Skins
• CR04 Security Camera & Intercom
• 2 – 360 Degree Security Cameras
• 12 JBC Traffic Cones – For Election Workers when Returning Ballots from VSPCs and Ballot Boxes
• 2 Analog Video Encoder – Convert our Security Video from Analog to Digital in our Powers and N. Union VSPC Locations
• 2 Avigilon Servers – Convert our Security Video from Analog to Digital in our Powers and N. Union VSPC Locations
• 109 Election Signs – New Election Signage for Voter Awareness & Education, Encourage Voter Turnout, Location & Directional Guidance, Legal Compliance Considerations, and Community Engagement.

Portable Translation Device

PockeTalk, a new portable translation device, is highly beneficial for Voter Service and Polling Centers during an election for several reasons:

• Language Accessibility: PockeTalk can translate over 70 languages in real time, making it easier for VSPC judges to communicate with voters who speak different languages. This helps ensure that all voters can receive clear instructions and support regardless of their language proficiency.
• Enhancing Voter Experience: Voters who may need to be fluent in the predominant language can feel more confident and comfortable now that they can communicate effectively with VSPC judges. This reduces confusion and potential errors in the voting process.
• Speed and Efficiency: PockeTalk can streamline communication, allowing VSPCs to operate more efficiently. Instead of struggling to communicate or finding an interpreter, VSPC judges can use the device to provide immediate assistance, keeping lines moving and reducing waiting times.
• Improving Accuracy: Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings that can lead to incorrect voting procedures or errors. PockeTalk helps all voters understand their rights, the voting process, and how to cast their ballots correctly.
• Inclusivity and Compliance: By providing language support, VSPCs are better equipped to meet legal requirements for language assistance, particularly in areas with diverse populations. This inclusivity fosters a more equitable voting environment.

Overall, PockeTalk ensures every eligible voter can participate in the election process, regardless of language barriers.

“I Voted” Sticker Contest

The Clerk & Recorder’s Office recently held an “I Voted” sticker design contest, inviting local students to create designs for the stickers distributed to voters during the November election. The contest aimed to engage the community and encourage civic participation by allowing people to contribute to an essential aspect of the voting experience.

The contest was primarily targeted at students from local schools, allowing young artists to contribute creatively to the electoral process. Six winners were selected (two from three separate categories: Elementary, Middle and High School students). The winning designs will be printed and distributed as the official “I Voted” stickers for the November General Election.

The contest is part of a broader effort by the Clerk & Recorder’s Office to engage the community and promote voter turnout. By involving students, who can’t vote yet in the election process, the office hopes to foster a deeper connection between the community and their role in democracy.