The Registrar of Voters Office invited Washoe County residents to an open house to introduce them to a new system to help with voting.
The Voter Registration and Election Management Solution, also known as VREMS, is a new digital poll pad system for checking in voters during in-person voting.
Election Specialist Addie Vetter says since the Secretary of State has implemented this system back in August it has been much more efficient and easier to keep track of everything.
They want to give the community an opportunity to try out this new equipment before experiencing the real thing at the voting centers October 19th.
"The system is expected to help the voting process because it's more transparent for all sides," said Vetter. "You view other county's records, you can work with other counties, the state has access to all the records. So rather than each county having their own individual system that they operate off of before voter registration, it's universal for other counties and the state."
Vetter says the most common question people have been asking is 'Why make these changes before an election?'
She says it helps keeps the entire state on the same page and a lot of people who have had the chance to try it out say it's pretty easy to use.
One man says he was initially worried about security until staff assured him everything stays safe.
"They'll secure your provisional ballot until they further know who you are," said Oscar Williams, Reno resident. "So, they got some levels of protection there and I thought that was pretty impressive. And you see some of that in this presentation. I really appreciate the Registrar's Office for holding this and thank you very much."
Unfortunately, the open house has already ended. However, if you have any questions, you are more than welcome to swing by during office hours and check out the digital pads before the day you vote.
