Heinz Alumnus Manages PA Voting Machines Project

In March of this year Latoya R. Pierre nee Conners, MSPPM 2001, was appointed Project Manager for the Pennsylvania voting machine implementation.  The project involved the purchase and deployment of voting machines for 36 counties in Pennsylvania.  The counties involved were some of the largest in the state, including Allegheny, Cumberland, Luzerne and Westmoreland Counties.  The new machines were used in the May primary election and will be used for the general election this November.

The project was driven with the passage of The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002.  This legislation provided funds to states to improve election administration and improve voting systems.  It also created minimum standards for key areas of election administration, including a mandate to become ADA compliant by the 2006 primaries.

To date Pierre has overseen the placement of over 8,000 pieces of equipment in the 36 counties, managing a staff of over 150 employees and contractors. Her responsibilities included:

• Coordinating the logistics and shipping from international manufacturers to the county sites,
• Developing and executing a state wide training plan,
• Collecting over $30 million dollars during the first phase of the implementation,
• Fostering compliance and communication with the State and helping counties adhere to PA voting legislation.
  
  An example and demonstration of the new voting machines is available on the Allegheny County web site.