CGI Group Inc. announced it will implement California’s new centralized statewide voter registration database system, VoteCal, providing a single official source of voter registration information. The contract is valued at US$38.75 million over four years.
VoteCal will connect to multiple state agencies and all 58 county election official offices to improve the efficiency of the voter registration process. Currently, information about new and existing registered voters is separately maintained in county election management systems with the current statewide voter registration database (CalVoter) storing a copy of each county’s voter registration data and refreshing that data based on daily updates.
VoteCal will include a new public website for people to register online, verify their registration, and look up provisional ballot and vote-by-mail ballot status—improving the public’s ability to register to vote and making it easier for voters to access or update their voter registration information.
The federal government’s Help America to Vote Act (HAVA) mandates states implement centralized voter registration systems. California is HAVA-compliant based on its existing legacy system, associated regulations, and supporting internal procedures. CGI will replace CalVoter with a modern and robust technical foundation and deliver added functionality. VoteCal will automate functions currently performed manually, support uniform application of voter laws, and establish uniform voter registration processes across the state, enabling California to more easily address the full intent of HAVA.
With extensive experience supporting many of California government’s technology modernization projects, CGI is uniquely qualified to develop and deploy a VoteCal system that will improve the voter registration process while increasing transparency for all stakeholders.
“CGI is excited to partner with the State of California on the VoteCal initiative,” said Josetta Bull, CGI Vice-President and State of California Account Executive. “We bring expertise in large-scale data integration as well as extensive experience integrating information management systems across California.”