Abstract: A modular integrated software and hardware suite can accept data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sort the data as necessary for ballot preparation, create a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provide for mail presorting, scan returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, and accept data from the scanner. The scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, and a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner. The scanner can work with a workstation application to interpret a barcode, store an image of the ballot envelope signature in association with a specific voter, print an endorsement on each verified ballot envelope, and store the endorsement with the signature image. The scanner can divert ballot envelopes with unrecognizable or unmatched barcodes to a separate tray for manual processing.

Abstract: A system and method for processing vote-by-mail ballot envelopes is disclosed. The system comprises a processor operable to asynchronously process each of a plurality of ballot envelopes by (i) verifying that the registered voter associated with the ballot envelope is eligible to vote, (ii) verifying that a signature written on the ballot envelope corresponds to the signature of the registered voter, (iii) verifying that personal information written on the ballot envelope corresponds to the personal information of the registered voter, and (iv) generating batch information if the ballot envelope passes all of the verification steps or exception information if the ballot envelope fails any one of the verification steps. The system also comprises a storage device operable to store the batch information or exception information, as applicable, for each of the ballot envelopes.

Abstract: A modular integrated software and hardware suite can accept data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sort the data as necessary for ballot preparation, create a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provide for mail presorting, scan returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, and accept data from the scanner. The scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, and a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner. The scanner can work with a workstation application to interpret a barcode, store an image of the ballot envelope signature in association with a specific voter, print an endorsement on each verified ballot envelope, and store the endorsement with the signature image. The scanner can divert ballot envelopes with unrecognizable or unmatched barcodes to a separate tray for manual processing.

Abstract: A modular integrated software and hardware suite can accept data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sort the data as necessary for ballot preparation, create a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provide for mail presorting, scan returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, and accept data from the scanner. The scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, and a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner. The scanner can work with a workstation application to interpret a barcode, store an image of the ballot envelope signature in association with a specific voter, print an endorsement on each verified ballot envelope, and store the endorsement with the signature image. The scanner can divert ballot envelopes with unrecognizable or unmatched barcodes to a separate tray for manual processing.

Abstract: A modular integrated software and hardware suite accepts data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sorts the information as necessary for ballot preparation, creates a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provides for mail presorting, scans returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, accepts data from such ballot envelope scanner, and matches the data from the scanned returned ballots with information in the voter registration database, sorts ballots that cannot be electronically matched to a particular voter into a separate stack for manual processing, automates the signature verification process for electronically matched ballots, and returns updated data to the voter registration database. A ballot envelope scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner.