As part of Nevada’s 2023-2025 budget process, Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is eyeing two projects to help modernize the state.
In a press release, Aguilar detailed the two budget requests his office presented to state legislators. His office is requesting $30 million for the implementation of a centralized statewide voter registration and elections management system and $15 million for “Project Orion” to overhaul Nevada’s business licensing portal.
“Updating the state’s technology is critical to ensuring our government is transparent and accessible – Nevadans deserve systems that work for them and doesn’t make their lives harder,” said Secretary Aguilar. “These technology upgrades to our election and business licensing systems have long been needed – and our office is ready to use this funding to make great improvements across the state. I’m thankful for the team in the Secretary of State’s Office for their endless dedication to making these systems work better for all Nevadans.”
If approved by state legislators, the $30 million request would enable Aguilar’s team to quickly implement the Voter Registration and Elections Management Solution (VREMS), which would create a centralized statewide voter registration database.
His office said the VREMS system, prescribed by Assembly Bill 422 that was passed in the 2021 legislature, would make elections more consistent across the state and increase transparency in voter data.
The Project Orion request would allow the Secretary of State’s Office to rapidly accelerate fixes to Nevada’s business licensing software suite and “begin building a framework for the future.”
In addition to the two large funding requests, Aguilar’s office is also requesting funding for a redesign of the secretary of state’s website, new staff positions to support the business portal and elections teams, and a mail ballot tracking and notification system.
