PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea today announced the latest step in building a new Central Voter Registration System (CVRS) for Rhode Island. The CVRS is a computer database that houses the state's list of registered voters and acts as Rhode Island's election management system. The state's current CVRS was designed in 2005.
"Technology is an ever-evolving landscape, and a modernized CVRS will help Rhode Island remain a national model in election security," said Secretary Gorbea. "It will also enable us to streamline processes for state and local election officials while preserving the integrity of our systems."
The contract to build a new CVRS has been awarded to Stonewall Solutions, a Pawtucket-based company that works with government, law enforcement, and higher education clients to develop and refine information networks.
"Stonewall is excited to partner with Secretary Gorbea in building a new Central Voter Registration System for the State of Rhode Island," said Stonewall Solutions President & CEO John Condon. "Stonewall is dedicated to ensuring the new CVRS provides a solid platform for the Department of State's Elections Division, the Board of Elections, and local cities and towns to manage registered voters and candidates within the state."
Secretary Gorbea collaborated with election officials from across the state during the selection process. "Stonewall Solutions' submission and demonstration was quite impressive," said West Greenwich Town Clerk Erin Liese. "It is ideal that they are a local Rhode Island company and they have dedicated a large staff to developing this system for the improved efficiency of boards of canvassers and election officials."
"We are excited to work with Stonewall Solutions and even more excited about the update to the CVRS because it will streamline our processes and bring us up to date with technology," said Providence Administrator of Elections Kathy Placencia. "We've learned a lot working with our current system, and can now provide input on exactly what boards of canvassers need in the new CVRS."
Funding for the contract to build the CVRS comes out of Rhode Island's share of $3 million from Congress under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Secretary Gorbea serves as the state's Chief Elections Official under HAVA. She convened a task force to determine how to best spend and prioritize the funds designated for Rhode Island through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. The task force identified the development of a new CVRS as a priority for that funding.
"The Department of State will assume full ownership of the system once it's complete," said Secretary Gorbea. "That means we will have full control to customize and evolve the new CVRS to reflect current industry best practices as technology continues to change."
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