Accu-Vote

The AccuVote2000 is a state certified optical scan voting system.  This state of the art system streamlines the voting process, while providing a simple, fast and secure method of conducting an election.

Of paramount importance is the fact that the Accu-Vote system is voter friendly.

The Accu-Vote 2000 provides the voter an easy method of casting his ballot.  At the polls the voter receives a paper ballot in a secrecy folder.  Using a felt tip marker provided at the voting booth, the voter records his vote by filling in the oval next to his choices.

The Accu-Vote system also addresses the needs for security, accuracy and integrity throughout the voting process.

Security: After voting, the voter takes his ballot, in the secrecy folder, to the Accu-Vote tabulator and inserts it into a slot on top of the machine.  The scanning device reads the votes cast and deposits the voted ballot into a locked and sealed ballot box. This eliminates ballot handling and provides total ballot security.

When the polls close, votes are tallied at each precinct, printed for posting at the precinct and transferred by modem to the Manatee County Election Center.  All precinct totals are received by the Election Center and integrated into a jurisdiction wide report showing the total of votes cast at all precincts.

Accuracy and Integrity: The Accu-Vote 2000 has undergone rigorous testing to pass state certification requirements.  Using the most advanced technology in the election industry, the Accu-Vote system provides not only an easy to mark ballot, but also insures that your vote is counted.  Using paper ballots, the system collects permanent, physical records of voter choices.  This verifiable audit trail and audit log accounts for every activity performed during the election process.

Election Results: Not only are ballots counted at the precinct, but results are available within minutes at each precinct and are modemed to the Election center for accumulation of the votes.  The general public will not only be able to access the results by traditional media report and calls to the elections office, but also by logging on to our website.

The Accu-Vote system also provides the advanced features necessary to conduct elections with ease and confidence.  For the Supervisor of Elections, the Accu-Vote system streamlines each stage of an election while providing comprehensive security measures.  The system helps provide a secure election environment through a combination of passwords, security levels and physical locks.

For precinct workers, the Accu-Vote is compact and lightweight so that it can be easily transported to and from the polling place.  Poll workers are trained and certified on the setup, election day use and ending of the election.

The system's components are:

The Accu-Vote Tabulator: The tabulator is a multi-functional unit that is the heart of the voting system.  It counts and tabulates the ballots at precincts on election day and communicates with the host computer at the elections office by transmitting results via modem for accurate and timely jurisdiction-wide results.

The Host Computer (Vote Tally System): The host computer is a PC-based computer system configured to perform all of the necessary functions of the application software, from the beginning of the election process, to the posting of final jurisdiction-wide results.

Visible Light Reader: The Accu-Vote tabulator utilizes visible light reader technology that permits the voter to shade in the oval next to the candidate of choice with a standard pen or pencil.  This is especially advantageous in the absentee-voting environment.

Internal Battery Backup: The Accu-Vote tabulator employs a battery backup feature that acts as an uninterruptible power supply.  The battery is automatically and continuously charged.  It engages during a power failure to permit the voting process to continue.  It also provides enough power to print the zero tape at the opening of the polls and ready the Accu-Vote system to begin accepting ballots, continue counting ballots, or even print and transmit results at the closing of the polls.

Ballot Size, Flexibility: The Accu-Vote ballot is 8.5" wide and can be 11", 14" or 18" long depending upon the number of races, candidates and issues on the ballot.  Ballot layout is freeform and flexible and can be formatted in one, two, three or four columns, front and back.  The standard 8.5" width also makes printing less complicated.  Since either the 8.5" x 11" size or the 8.5" x l4" size ballots accommodates most elections, standard size boxes and shelves can be used for transport and storage.

TeleResults: The Accu-Vote system pioneered modem transmission of precinct results directly from the polling place to the host computer for jurisdiction-wide results using standard landlines or cellular telephones.

Postscript, the "Electronic Ballot": A major cost-saving feature of the AccuVote system is the so-called "electronic ballot.”  Now as an integral function of the ballot layout process, Global's application software produces an industry-standard postscript file, which is then transmitted to a qualified commercial printer for ballot production.  This advanced feature eliminates time-consuming process of typesetting and drastically reduces the seemingly endless task of proofreading and making corrections.  It is notable that that the Global postscripts file production is part of the Integrated Advantage, and requires no third party intervention typical of competitive systems.

Ease of Maintenance and Storage: The Accu-Vote system is unequaled in its maintenance and storage features.  It has the ability to perform self-diagnostic testing of the system, prior to each election.  Any component of the system, including the five-year gel cell battery, can easily be replaced as needed.  Routine maintenance includes replacing the audit trail paper roll as necessary and cleaning the unit before and after elections.  Each tabulator requires only .39 cubic feet of storage space.  Twenty-four (24) units can be stacked 6 foot high on shelving 4 foot wide and 1.5 foot deep.  The ballot box measures 2 feet x 2 feet x 3 feet and can be stacked two (2) or three (3) high in a 4 square foot footprint.

Accu-Vote-TSX

Beginning with elections conducted after July 1, 2005 , all Manatee County polling locations have an AccuVote-TSX … an electronic voting system with audio capability for individuals with disabilities.  The AccuVote-TSX voice guidance feature enables blind or visually impaired persons to vote unassisted, in complete privacy.  Voters with limited sight can activate the unit’s magnification systems to make reading the ballot easier.

The AccuVote-TSX, which allows persons with disabilities to vote independently and without assistance, may be used by any person who chooses to do so. Each voter is issued a Voter Access Card, which once inserted into the AccuVote-TSX displays the ballot on the screen. Voters record their votes and cast their ballot.  When a voter casts their ballot using the Diebold touch screen system, the ballot selections are immediately encrypted using AES 128 bit encryption and stored in multiple locations within the voting station. The order of cast ballots is scrambled to further insure ballot anonymity. The image of each and every ballot cast on the voting station is captured, and can be anonymously reproduced on standard paper should a hard copy of ballots be required for recount purposes.

After the polls have closed and the last person has voted, the AccuVote-TSX is secured, preventing any further votes from being cast. The results of the votes cast are printed and posted at the polling place and also transmitted over a secure line to the Supervisor of Elections’ vote tabulation system. Once received by the system, the results are accumulated into a county-wide report showing the total of votes cast at all precincts for each of the races in the election.

Voting Using the AccuVote-TSX

1.      A Voter Access Card containing your ballot information will be programmed. You have the option of requesting a visual only, audio only, or a combined audio and visual ballot. Headsets and a keypad are provided for those requesting an audio only, or a combined audio and visual ballot.

2.      The Voter Access Card is inserted into the slot at the upper right side of the screen.

3.      If you requested a visual ballot, the “Instructions” screen will be displayed and you will be given the opportunity to magnify or change the contrast of the ballot before proceeding to vote. If you have requested an audio ballot, the instructions will be played through the headset and you will be given the option of increasing or decreasing the volume and changing the speed of the audio.

4.      To begin voting, touch the “NEXT” button at the lower right side of the screen on a visual ballot or the appropriate key on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.

5.      Make your selection by touching the screen next to your choice or the appropriate number on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.

6.      If using a visual ballot, an "X” will appear designating your choice. If you are using an audio ballot, your selection will be read to you.

7.      If you are using a visual ballot, touching the “X” will allow you to cancel your choice and make another selection. If you are using an audio ballot, you will be instructed on how to cancel your choice and make another selection using the keypad.

8.      You may vote for a write-in candidate by using the keyboard displayed on the touch screen for a visual ballot or by pressing the appropriate keys on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.

9.      You will be given the opportunity to review your ballot on the summary page and make any changes to your vote. Visual ballots using normal contrast will display races with an undervote or blank vote in red. Visual ballots using high contrast will display races with an undervote or blank vote highlighted in black.  Audio ballots will advise you of any races in which a selection has not been made. You will be given the opportunity to go back and cast a vote for any blank voted race by touching it on a visual ballot or by pressing the appropriate key on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.

10.  When you have confirmed your vote, you may cast your ballot by touching “Cast Ballot” on a visual ballot, or by pressing the appropriate key on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.

11. The AccuVote-TSX does not allow a voter to select more than the designated candidates or selections for a specific race, eliminating the opportunity to over-vote.  The system will allow an under-voted ballot to be cast if it was the voter’s intent not to vote in a race.