R.I. receives $50K federal grant to improve online ballot system

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island is one of five states receiving funding from the Federal Voting Assistance Program to provide military personnel and other overseas voters with online access to blank election ballots, R.I. Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis announced Thursday.

The Effective Absentee Systems for Elections research grant program, now in its second round of funding, aims to assist the development of online ballot delivery tools and establish of a dedicated point of contact in a state’s election office for the transmission of election materials.

Rhode Island will receive a $50,163 share of the $10.5 million in total funding to update its current online ballot system. The updated system will be available leading up to the state’s primary election in 2014, the secretary of state’s office said.

“I am pleased to be able to provide online blank ballot access through this enhanced system, which will make the voting process easier for military personnel and overseas voters,” said Mollis in a release. “Everyone should have the opportunity to vote, and feel their voice has been heard.”

- Advertisement -

Idaho, Kentucky, Nevada and Texas also received funding in this round of research grant awards.

No posts to display