Streamlining Polling with Wavetec: Sangamon County’s Queuing Success
Overview
During peak election seasons, Sangamon County, Illinois—home to over 190,000 residents—sought to enhance the voter experience by modernizing how queues were managed at polling stations. The county partnered with Wavetec to implement the UNO-Q linear queuing system, a simple yet powerful solution that brought order, reduced wait times, and improved voter accessibility.
The Challenge
On election days, polling locations in Sangamon County see high volumes of foot traffic in limited spaces. Without a clear queuing system, locations struggled with:
- Disorganized voter flow, leading to confusion and delays
- Uncertainty among voters on when and where to proceed
- Limited tools to direct and manage large groups efficiently
The county needed a reliable system—something easy to set up and capable of handling high-traffic scenarios without disrupting the process.
The Solution: Wavetec UNO-Q Queue Management System
Wavetec’s UNO-Q system checked all the boxes. Built to simplify high-traffic environments, the solution included:
- UNO-Q Linear Queuing System — creating a single, fair queue to manage flow efficiently
- A Wireless Call Button — a sleek, compact white box with four buttons that allowed polling staff to operate the system smoothly, calling the next voter with a simple press
- Donatello Digital Signage — which displayed counter information and announcements in real time, guiding voters visually and audibly to the right station
This setup helped create a more intuitive and orderly polling experience, with minimal setup and training required.
Customer Journey
Voters entered the polling location and joined a single, well-managed line. As soon as a station became available, the staff pressed the Wireless Call Button to call the next voter. The Donatello display immediately updated with the appropriate booth number, while light towers installed at each booth lit up to visually guide the voter to their designated counter. This combination of screen and lighting ensured smooth, silent communication—keeping everything moving quickly and clearly, with no need for verbal instructions or hand signals.
The Outcome:
The system delivered real impact on election day:
- Improved voter flow—congestion and confusion at polling stations dropped noticeably
- Shorter wait times—faster voter movement meant more people served, more efficiently
- Happier voters—with better guidance and less uncertainty, voters reported smoother experiences
- Efficient for staff—the system required minimal supervision, freeing poll workers to focus on what mattered most
