PROVIDENCE, RI – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has announced the successful launch of Rhode Island's new Central Voter Registration System (CVRS). The CVRS is a computer database that houses the state's list of registered voters and acts as Rhode Island's candidate management system. The new system launched this month, replacing a 14-year-old application.
"This Central Voter Registration System is a major step forward in the security and integrity of our voter rolls," said Secretary Gorbea. "I'm incredibly proud of the collaborative effort that went into building and launching it."
The new CVRS was built by Stonewall Solutions, a Pawtucket-based company that designs information networks for government, law enforcement and higher education clients.
"Stonewall was honored to partner with Secretary Gorbea's team in implementation of the new Central Voter Registration System," said Stonewall Solutions President & CEO John Condon. "The successful launch of the system is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of those involved."
The Rhode Island Board of Elections and local election officials from several communities were also consulted in building the system. Prior to launch, election officials from all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns took part in training programs provided by Stonewall Solutions and Secretary Gorbea's office.
"This system is going to improve the accuracy and security of the voter rolls, and it's very user-friendly," said Dorothy McCarthy of the Warwick Board of Canvassers.
"Everything in the CVRS is streamlined for local election officials in terms of voter registration and record management," said Jessica Capaldi from the Warren Town Clerk's office. "And the new layers of security are terrific."
Funding to build the CVRS came from 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.
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