Washoe County upgrades election system with Know Inc and appoints new registrar Andrew McDonald

In a recent government meeting held on March 18, 2025, in Washoe County, officials discussed significant advancements in election management and emergency services that aim to enhance community operations. The meeting highlighted the successful administration of three elections in 2024, including the presidential primary and general elections, despite previous community dissatisfaction with the electoral process.

A key focus was the upgrade of the staffing model for the registrar of voters' office. Historically, the office operated with only six full-time staff members, which proved inadequate during the 2020 elections. Following consultations with experts, the county recognized the need for a staffing increase to 18 personnel. This adjustment, supported by the Board of County Commissioners, has already begun to improve election operations, ensuring that staff can manage their workloads effectively without the fear of burnout or illness.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the implementation of a new voter registration and election management system called Know Inc. This system, already in use in other regions, aims to streamline voter roll management and address community concerns about ballot distribution. The transition to this new system was deemed necessary due to the outdated nature of the previous platform, which was no longer supported by vendors. The new registrar of voters, Andrew McDonald, brings 18 years of experience and is expected to lead these improvements.

The meeting also covered advancements in emergency services, particularly the regional computer-aided dispatch platform. This initiative aims to unify the dispatch operations of Washoe County, Reno, and Sparks, which have historically operated independently. By integrating these systems, emergency responders will be better equipped to dispatch the nearest available resources, improving response times during incidents. The project is on track for completion in September and is expected to foster discussions about further regional collaboration in fire services.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to enhancing electoral integrity and emergency response efficiency, with officials optimistic about the positive impacts these changes will have on the community. As these initiatives progress, residents can expect ongoing updates and improvements in both election management and public safety services.