HUNDREDS OF POLLING PLACES ACROSS THE STATE
WILL USE PRECINCT ATLAS IN UPCOMING CITY ELECTIONS

DES MOINES – Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro announced today the new Precinct Atlas software program will be used in hundreds of polling places to assist precinct election officials during the Nov. 3 city elections.

The program, called “The Precinct Atlas,” is an electronic poll book which will help precinct election officials effectively and consistently process voters on election day.

As of today, the Secretary of State’s Office has had 44 counties (over 350 precincts) report that they plan on using the program on Nov. 3. (See list below.)

The electronic poll book consists of a laptop computer with “The Precinct Atlas” software and an attached label printer. Before each election, voter registration information is loaded into the program from the statewide voter registration and election management system. The electronic poll book allows precinct election officials to follow an on-screen step-by-step procedure for processing voters which will help prevent errors and provide another layer of security to the election process.

The Precinct Atlas program was developed by Cerro Gordo County and was first used in a special election for the Mason City Community School District in February 2009. Since then, Secretary of State Michael Mauro has worked with Cerro Gordo County to make the software available for use in all Iowa counties.

“I applaud county auditors on their decision to implement this cost-effective technology in next month’s city elections.” Secretary Mauro said. “Dozens of counties have tried and tested this program in their precincts and are finding it to be a worthy addition to election administration that reinforces the integrity of the process.”

The program was used successfully in more than 20 counties during the Sept. 8 school elections.

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Counties Planning on Using Precinct Atlas for City Elections