Department of State wins 2015 Pennsylvania Excellence in Technology Award for Online Voter Registration

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of State has been awarded the 2015 Pennsylvania Excellence in Technology Award for its Online Voter Registration application.

The award, presented Wednesday as part of the Pennsylvania Digital Government Summit 2015 held in Harrisburg, recognizes projects that significantly advance the use of technology to deliver government service.

Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortés announced the launch of the Online Voter Registration (OVR) site in August. Since then, more than 51,000 eligible citizens have used it to register to vote or to make changes to their existing voter registration.

"The goal of the online site was to increase participation in our electoral process by making voter registration more convenient, accessible and secure," Cortés said Wednesday. "This honor affirms what voters have already made clear – that online registration is a welcome addition to traditional registration methods."

The Pennsylvania Excellence in Technology Award recognizes "stellar achievements and innovative initiatives in the public sector throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," according to the Government Technology website.

The award was presented to a Department of State team led by Marian K. Schneider, Deputy Secretary for Elections and Administration. Included in the nomination were members of the Department's Executive Staff; the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation; the Bureau of Management Information Systems; the Office of Chief Counsel, and the Office of Communications and Press.

The OVR project was accomplished in cooperation with the Governor's Office, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Administration's Office of Information Technology, the Center for Civic Design, and Acclaim Systems.

"There were many people who worked diligently on the development of OVR. We were well aware of the significance of our work, and were proud to be part of this historic project," Schneider said.

For more information about voting in Pennsylvania, visit www.votesPA.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us