TUCSON, Ariz. — The State of Arizona is changing how it will process voter registrations data, by upgrading their old database system and migrating to a new system.
If you're a registered voter in Arizona or need to register, you should know your data will be processed with a new program. On Nov. 14, the current system -- called Power Profile -- is out, and a new system called AVID or the Access Voter Information Database, is in. KGUN 9 caught up with the Pima County Recorder and Arizona Secretary of State to find out more about the change.
Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez says the implementation of the AVID update to the current voter registration system was inherited by the Katie Hobbs administration from the previous administration.
"The AVID system, which is the Access Voter Information Database, is a statewide system," Rodriguez said. "All states are required to have one central voter registration file."
Thirteen of the 15 counties in Arizona will transition to AVID. Officials say Maricopa and Pima Counties -- the two largest counties in the state -- have their own voter registration systems. However, all of the counties are required to send data over to AVID to make sure voter records are accurate. The goal is to tighten up processing time and make it easier to get data from the Motor Vehicle Division. The 13 smaller counties will be fully dependent on AVID.
"For the 13 smaller counties, it's their entire system," Rodriguez said. "It does everything layout addressing points, jurisdictional elections, issuing the ballots and designing the ballots."
Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs says the installation of the new data system was needed to keep up with technology. The cost of the new database system is $3.9 million dollars in federal grant money, with B. Pro and Sutherland listed as the program vendor.
"A really cool feature for voters is the ability they will have to look up their own information, see their voting history and make sure their registration status is accurate," Hobbs said
As for testing, there have been some glitches -- but officials say that smaller counties are working through the process with regular testing and mock elections.
"As far as Pima County goes, because we have our own system in place, our areas will work," Rodriguez said. "The areas that will have more problems is the 13 smaller counties. This is a long process, it's a vested interest for the state of Arizona."
Officials also say that AVID will make redistricting easier, because the state is looking new congressional seats expected after the 2020 census. Rodriguez says once the migration is complete, counties will be responsible for covering the maintenance of the AVID program along with the state and other funding.
Service Arizona is the easiest way to register and update your information. About 75 percent of registrations come from MVD.
The transition for AVID goes from Nov. 14 to Nov. 22. During that time, voter registrations will be collected but not processed until the final migration process is complete.
