RJI to assist in research and development of online and mobile voting tools for Missouri's military and voters overseas

A $740,000 grant from the Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) will provide for the development of online and mobile applications for ballot delivery but will not allow for any form of electronic return of voted ballots in an election. In her application for the grant, Boone County Clerk Wendy Noren proposed to collaborate with researchers from the University of Missouri's Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, College of Engineering, and the Truman School of Public Administration to research and develop outreach, education and online systems.

"I am extremely grateful to Dale Musser at the College of Engineering and Keith Politte from the Reynolds Journalism Institute for sharing a vision for this project to provide a permanent solution to the barriers military and overseas voters have always faced", Noren said. "The University has committed to providing a long term cost-effective solution for local officials that will benefit thousands of our most at-risk voters each federal election."

Previous studies have found that more than 30 percent of the nation's military and overseas voters had difficulty voting in the 2008 Presidential Election and, in some cases, did not have their votes counted. The traditional voting methods available at the time required weeks or months for voters to submit applications, receive their ballots and return them. Their ability to vote was further complicated by reliance on foreign mail systems or delivery to inaccessible locations such as submarines.

The systems will be designed to increase the ballot return rate for military and overseas voters whose voting rights have been previously compromised by the time needed to deliver and return ballots.

"RJI is thrilled to be working with Missouri's election officials on this important project that partners the talent and leadership of the Boone County Clerk's office with Mizzou's formidable interdisciplinary capacities" said Keith Politte, RJI's manager of the Technology Testing Center.

For more information, click here or contact Keith Politte, polittek@rjionline.org, 573-882-9646.