ZAPATA, Texas, Sept. 7, 2017—Zapata County Commissioners are moving forward with new election technology to provide an easy and transparent experience for voters for many years to come. They chose Verity® Voting system from trusted vendor Hart InterCivic. Hart has partnered with Zapata County on elections since 2005, earning confidence for the company’s reliability and customer support.

“Excellent customer service is a priority, and Hart has been in our corner every step of the way,” said County Clerk Mary Jayne Villarreal-Bonoan. “It’s been more than a decade since we chose new election technology, and there is a lot riding on this choice. We know Hart stands behind their customers. When we have a question, they are always available to help.”

Villarreal-Bonoan is looking forward to the advances that the Verity system will bring to her South Texas county. On Election Day, voters will still have the option of voting a paper ballot or an electronic one. Voters who mark paper ballots by hand will cast their votes by inserting the ballot into the easy-to-use Verity Scan tabulator. Others will vote electronically using the Verity Touch direct record electronic (DRE) device – an alternative that offers numerous accessibility features. Once either type of ballot is cast, the voter sees the message “Your ballot has been counted,” and the image of an American flag.

“We appreciate Zapata County’s confidence in Hart. We have worked with them more than a decade and we look forward to continuing to care for that relationship,” said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of election experience.

“Verity is the most up-to-date election technology in the U.S., and Zapata’s leaders are making a well-timed move for their voters,” he said.

The flexible Verity system is easy for poll workers to use, and its lightweight and compact equipment simplifies transport. Hart and Villarreal-Bonoan are planning hands-on training for precinct workers and will roll out Verity for the November election.

Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of Hart InterCivic’s Verity® Voting system in mid-December, more than 7,000 Verity devices have been shipped across the state. Federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in counties throughout the U.S.

Braithwaite expects more Texas announcements in the coming weeks.