LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County will use new technology to help voters track wait times and speed check-in at polls this November, in addition to sending vote-by-mail ballots to every registered voter in hopes of limiting the potential spread of COVID-19, officials said June 19.
An independent review of the March primary election released by the county found a range of problems including software breakdowns, lack of trained staff and insufficient oversight of outside vendors contributed to wait times that left long lines of voters waiting to cast their ballots after polls had closed.
Despite hours-long wait times for many voters, the new system received high marks from a majority of those who cast ballots, according to Slalom, LLC, the Seattle-based business and technology consulting firm that conducted the review.
“Design and testing issues with the voter check-in technology caused the system to freeze frequently, resulting in long delays and bottlenecks during check-in at vote centers,” the report found.
“With improved vote center staffing approaches and training, increased technology capacity, more effective communications and outreach and stronger vendor management, Los Angeles County can enhance the voter experience and election systems for November 2020 and beyond,” the report concluded.
