Johnston Elections Director Named To New State Commission On Election Data Modernization

RALEIGH — Johnston County’s elections director has been appointed to a new statewide commission created to help modernize North Carolina’s election data systems and improve technology used to manage voter information and campaign finance reporting.

State Auditor Dave Boliek announced Thursday the creation of the Modernization of Election Data Systems, or MEDS Commission, a bipartisan group tasked with providing guidance and oversight as state officials work to update the Statewide Elections Information Management System.

Leigh Anne Price, director of elections for Johnston County, is among the 22 members selected to serve on the commission. The panel includes election officials, county leaders, policy experts and academics from across North Carolina.

The Office of the State Auditor and the N.C. State Board of Elections are working together on a three-phase plan to replace and modernize the existing elections management platform, which is used to administer voter records, election operations and other critical functions.

Boliek said the commission is intended to provide practical advice from professionals who work directly with election systems.

“We have a deep bench of elections professionals from all corners of this state,” Boliek said in a statement. “As we develop a secure, user-friendly election management system, it’s important to involve those who are on the ground and hear directly from North Carolina voters.”

The commission will review public feedback, evaluate vendor proposals and make recommendations related to system functionality, security improvements and implementation. Members also will assist with a separate effort to overhaul the state’s campaign finance reporting system, which officials say will make it easier for candidates to comply with regulations and for the public to track political spending.

The State Board of Elections recently issued a request for proposals for the second phase of the modernization project after gathering input from citizens and technology vendors.

Price joins elections officials from multiple counties across the state, along with researchers and policy leaders representing a range of political perspectives.

Non-voting technical advisers include State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes and Chief Information Officer Bret Kelly. Members of the State Board of Elections will serve as ex officio non-voting members.

State officials say the goal is to create a more secure, modern and user-friendly system that meets the needs of voters, election administrators and candidates.