Success Story 1

Background
Modulo Security Solutions, a Brazilian software company, is a provider of electronic security solutions. In order to focus on the opportunity for Internet voting systems Modulo created a separate business unit in San Rafael, CA under the name Safevote. Safevote sought information on the market for public sector voting systems and current competitors in order to develop a comprehensive business plan.

Objectives
The objectives of this study were to uncover the following information about the U.S. market for Internet voting systems for public elections:

Interest and attitude of selected states and counties toward Internet voting systems
Barriers to entry
Product features and other requirements for market entry
Age, brand and technology of current systems for election day and absentee voting
Voting system replacement plans
Elections and voting system cost data
Certification requirements and currently approved systems

Study Methodology
This in-depth qualitative study was conducted through interviews with state board of election officials and county election officials in each of the target states and counties. Interviews typically lasted 45 minutes to one hour.

Results
We provided a report detailing both the barriers and opportunities for Internet voting, along with the key requirements for a new voting system. Safevote used the study results to develop a system used in a successful pilot test in Contra Costa country. In addition Safevote published the study in the Bell, its newsletter on Internet voting. Interestingly the study highlighted election officials' frustration with punch card voting systems and hanging chads before they broke into the national spotlight in the 2000 presidential election!