UW engineering students develop smart technology solution to improve ballot collection for Snohomish County

The University of Washington's capstone team developed "Collect. Calculate. Dispatch. " to enhance ballot collection for Snohomish County, which has over 533,000 registered voters. This system features smart scales that monitor ballot box fullness in real-time, a route optimization tool for efficient collection paths, and an integrated dashboard for operational visibility.

Professor Patricia Buchanan emphasized the project's significance in providing students with hands-on experience while addressing real community needs. Garth Fell, the Snohomish County Auditor, expressed admiration for the students' organized and collaborative approach, resulting in prototypes ready for future field testing. Quantifiable benefits include a projected savings of $1,000 and a reduction of 122 miles traveled between ballot boxes per general election. The system also enhances staff safety and provides unprecedented operational visibility for election officials. The ongoing partnership between Snohomish County and the University of Washington's College of Engineering fosters innovative solutions for local challenges.

Upcoming steps include pilot testing and refining the user experience based on usability testing.