Abstract: A voting system comprises a ballot tabulation device that tabulates each of a plurality of paper ballots by determining one or more contest selections marked on the paper ballot and storing the contest selections within a cast vote record (CVR) for the paper ballot. One or more of the paper ballots comprises a provisional ballot on which is printed an identification code that represents or is associated with a voter code assigned to a voter who cast the provisional ballot. During the tabulation process, a direct or indirect link is provided between the CVR and the voter code for the provisional ballot. The voting system also comprises an election management system that identifies the CVR associated with each of one or more inputted voter codes, i.e., the voter codes assigned to voters who have had a change in eligibility status, and updates the total vote count to include or exclude the contest selections stored within that CVR as applicable.

Abstract: A voting system comprises a ballot tabulation device that tabulates each of a plurality of paper ballots by determining one or more contest selections marked on the paper ballot and storing the contest selections within a cast vote record (CVR) for the paper ballot. One or more of the paper ballots comprises a provisional ballot on which is printed an identification code that represents or is associated with a voter code assigned to a voter who cast the provisional ballot. During the tabulation process, a direct or indirect link is provided between the CVR and the voter code for the provisional ballot. The voting system also comprises an election management system that identifies the CVR associated with each of one or more inputted voter codes, i.e., the voter codes assigned to voters who have had a change in eligibility status, and updates the total vote count to include or exclude the contest selections stored within that CVR as applicable.

Abstract: A ballot processing system for processing paper ballots having one or more voting selections marked thereon. The system includes an input area configured to receive a stack of ballots to be processed, a processor operable to determine the voting selections marked on the ballots, and an output area configured to store the processed ballots. In an exemplary embodiment, a printing device is operable to print a unique identifier on each of the ballots during each pass through the system. A detector is operable to detect the printed identifier so as to verify that each of the ballots was processed during a previous count of the ballots and/or to prevent double-processing of the ballots. The system also includes a printer operable to print a report that identifies ballot information in relation to the unique identifier for at least a portion of the processed ballots.

Abstract: A ballot tabulation device includes a scanner operable to obtain an image of at least a portion of a paper ballot that includes a voter response area. A processor applies a virtual template to the image to identify a center point for the voter response area. The virtual template comprises a set of characteristic points positioned in predetermined locations in relation to the center point of the voter response area, wherein the characteristic points comprise points that are common to a plurality of sample ballot images. The processor also defines a response window that is centered on the center point of the voter response area, and analyzes the response window to determine if the voter response area is marked by a voter.

Abstract: A ballot tabulation device includes a scanner operable to obtain an image of at least a portion of a paper ballot that includes a voter response area. A processor applies a virtual template to the image to identify a center point for the voter response area. The virtual template comprises a set of characteristic points positioned in predetermined locations in relation to the center point of the voter response area, wherein the characteristic points comprise points that are common to a plurality of sample ballot images. The processor also defines a response window that is centered on the center point of the voter response area, and analyzes the response window to determine if the voter response area is marked by a voter.

Abstract: A ballot processing system for processing a plurality of ballots having one or more voting selections marked thereon. The system includes an input area configured to receive a stack of ballots to be processed, an output area configured to store the processed ballots, and a transport path operable to transport each of the ballots from the input area to the output area. In an exemplary embodiment, the transport path comprises a planar section positioned between a first curve section and a second curve section to form a generally S-shaped path. The length of the transport path allows each of the ballots to be processed prior to reaching the output area.

Abstract: A ballot processing system for processing a plurality of ballots having one or more voting selections marked thereon. The system includes an input area configured to receive a stack of ballots to be processed, an output area configured to store the processed ballots, and a transport path operable to transport each of the ballots from the input area to the output area. In an exemplary embodiment, the transport path comprises a planar section positioned between a first curve section and a second curve section to form a generally S-shaped path. The length of the transport path allows each of the ballots to be processed prior to reaching the output area.

Abstract: A ballot processing system for processing paper ballots having one or more voting selections marked thereon. The system includes an input area configured to receive a stack of ballots to be processed, a processor operable to determine the voting selections marked on the ballots, and an output area configured to store the processed ballots. In an exemplary embodiment, a printing device is operable to print a unique identifier on each of the ballots during each pass through the system. A detector is operable to detect the printed identifier so as to verify that each of the ballots was processed during a previous count of the ballots and/or to prevent double-processing of the ballots. The system also includes a printer operable to print a report that identifies ballot information in relation to the unique identifier for at least a portion of the processed ballots.