Google Forms could secure Nevada’s caucuses, or throw reporting into chaos
0Reported today on The Verge
For the full article visit: https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/21/21147450/google-forms-nevada-caucus-iowa-app-shadow-acronym-recording-reporting-tool
Reported today in The Verge.
Google Forms could secure Nevada's caucuses, or throw reporting into chaos
Nevada's Democratic caucuses take place this Saturday, and the state may not be ready. In the wake of Iowa's disastrous caucuses, the Nevada Democratic Party has scrapped its plans to use a reporting app called Shadow, but the replacement system isn't inspiring confidence.
Over the past week, party officials have blasted social media requesting volunteers with a solid grasp on Google tools to help staff the caucuses as technical assistance. According to Bloomberg, the Nevada Democratic Party held another set of training classes on Thursday to teach volunteers how to use their iPads and new tools. In an even more concerning move, the party hasn't pledged to release the final results the same day as the caucuses either, raising concerns that it may be days before definitive results come in.
Details on the new system are patchy, but it seems that at least some caucuses will be tabulating and reporting their results through a combination of Google Forms and associated spreadsheets. There's also some indication that Google Forms may be used to check voters in at caucus locations, although in both cases, there will be other options available as a safeguard.
On the tech side, the state party is operating from a regular enterprise G-Suite account, apparently connected with off-the-shelf iPads. The party has received Google's standard enterprise tech support, but there's no sign that the company's more ambitious election protection teams have gotten involved.
To start tabulating results, caucus officials from over 2,000 precincts across the state will log in to the calculator with their individual credentials. The online forms are nearly identical to the paper forms that of