Microsoft Word - BOULDER 00 01 prelim TOC.doc

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-1

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

BOULDER COUNTY SOLUTION
OVERVIEW

Hart InterCivic's eSlate Electronic Voting System is a fully integrated voting and
tabulation solution, with a DRE component for Early Voting and Election Day plus

an optical scan component for absentee/ mail/provisional voting. The System

meets federal and State certification requirements, as well as additional

requirements of the Help America Vote Act. Just as important, Hart InterCivic

offers Boulder County's election staff and voters a superior level of service and
support, including project management, storage and deployment planning, staff

and poll worker training, and voter education and outreach.

Like states and counties throughout the United States, the State of
Colorado and Boulder County are in the process of implementing
programs and procedures that will ensure compliance with the
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and related Federal and State
election reforms. Colorado has a head start on the process, since
many of the requirements of HAVA (e.g., provisional voting,
statewide voter registration, voter accessibility) have already been
enacted into law or are being studied through legislation such as
the Blue Ribbon Election Bill and the Colorado Help America
Vote Act. The Secretary of State's Office has recently issued the
State of Colorado Preliminary State Plan, in response to Section
2532(b) of the Federal Act, detailing the State's HAVA plans.

Our Understanding of the Procurement

With the issuance of RFP # 4437-03 for a New Voting Tabulation
System, Boulder County is moving forward on one of the key
HAVA requirements and State Plan Program Performance Goals
replacement of the County's existing Datavote punch card voting
system.
The RFP details the following minimum requirements that must be
met by the replacement Direct Recording Electronic (DRE)
system: The DRE system component shall, at a minimum,

be easy for the voter to use
the voting booth and voting device shall be easy to transport

and easy for the poll workers to assemble and disassemble

this system component shall operate independently and not be

tied to a larger network, like the internet or the County's
network

it must receive both national and state certification prior to

award of a contract and be secure and tamperproof

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-2

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

the system shall provide the ballot in multiple languages and

have audio/voice capabilities to serve those voters who are
visually impaired.

The optical scan system component that will be used for
absentee/mail/provisional balloting shall:

be fully integrated (i.e., ballot layout, ballot generation, ballot

tabulation and reporting) with the DRE system component

be easy for the voters to use
be secure and tamperproof
provide the ballot in multiple languages.

Other requirements include:

Implementation of the new system must be complete in time

for the August 2004 Colorado Primary Election.

The voters of Boulder County will use the integrated system

for Federal, State and local elections. The County conducts
three major statewide elections: the State Primary and General
Election in even-numbered years, and one major coordinated
election in odd-numbered years.

The system must support the County Clerk and Recorder's

ability to serve 10 municipalities, 4 school districts and 75
special districts within the County. The Coordinated Election,
referenced in the previous item, includes these entities' regular
elections and/or special elections.

The maximum number of polling places for an election is 250.

The County is requesting 1250 DRE units, based on an average
of 5 units per polling place.

One unit per polling place, for a total of 250 units, will be

equipped with Disabled Access Units to support private,
unassisted voting by those with physical or literacy limitations.

All units will be configured to present ballots in multiple

languages, with the actual language of the ballot selected by
the voter.

The absentee/mail/provisional ballots system must be able to

scan up to 200,000 ballots in a 12-hour period.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-3

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

The eSlate Electronic Voting System:

Responding to Boulder County's Requirements

In response to these requirements, Hart InterCivic proposes the
eSlate Electronic Voting System.

Overview of the eSlate System
To assist in the County's understanding of the eSlate System, we
provide the following introduction to the eSlate System
components and how each is used in the eSlate System. These
components and the System's functionality are discussed in greater
detail throughout the responses to the RFP items. The Slate System
components include:

eSlate 3000TM The voting
terminal used by the voter
to cast votes.
Disability Access UnitTM
(DAU) The unit that
modifies an eSlate 3000 to
provide alternative access
features for disabled and
literacy-challenged voters,
including an audio ballot
reader.
Judge's Booth

ControllerTM (JBC) The polling place control console that
manages up to 12 eSlate voting terminals, prints Access Codes and
voter receipts, and records Cast Vote Records (CVR) on the
Mobile Ballot Box (MBB).
eSlate Voting Booth The specially designed voting booth that
assures private, comfortable voting and secure storage and
handling for eSlate voting terminals.
Mobile Ballot BoxTM (MBB) The PC memory card that carries
the election database and formatted ballots to the Judge's Booth
Controller and stores Cast Vote Record and audit information.
Ballot Origination Software SystemTM (BOSS) The software
application that enables users to build election databases, format
ballots and electronically write multiple ballot styles to the Mobile
Ballot Boxes.
TallyTM The software application that tabulates and reports cast
votes from Mobile Ballot Boxes.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-4

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

Ballot NowTM A unique software solution for on-demand, in-
house printing of absentee/mail/provisional ballots on standard
paper that requires no preformatting; scanning and digitally
imaging the voted ballots; resolving unclear ballots through an
innovative on-screen resolution process; and capturing cast vote
records.
SERVOTM An election records and asset management system
that maintains on-going equipment history and supplies election
records as required.
RallyTM An application that includes functionality for MBB
verification, reading, election data storage and communication
from a satellite facility to a central tabulation function.

The Proposed eSlate Solution for Boulder County
As requested by Boulder County Hart InterCivic will deliver, test,
and install 1250 eSlate DREs, 250 Disabled Access Unit Modules
with audio cards, 250 Judge's Booth Controllers with MBBs (the
polling control unit), and necessary system supplies to support
Early Voting locations and Election Day polling places.
Hart InterCivic offers an alternate solution based on installing one
DRE unit per 300 voters. Based on Boulder County's estimate of
223,00 registered voters, this option includes 734 eSlate units. All
other components and quantities remain the same, and no
functionality is lost. Boulder County receives all the benefits of
the eSlate System, and effectively serves the same number of
registered voters at a lower total cost of ownership (purchase,
storage, maintenance, etc. of the units). Pricing schedules for each
of the quantity options are included in Section 6, Pricing of this
proposal.

Ballot Formatting and Generation
At the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's office, a Dell
Optiplex GX260 will be installed as the Ballot Layout PC. This
PC will run the Ballot Origination Software System (BOSS),
eSlate's election data management and ballot generation
application. The Ballot Layout PC will be standalone, not
connected to any network internal or external to the County.
In addition, connected to the Ballot Layout PC will be a HP 2300
laser printer for ballot proofs, reports, and other printing
requirements.
Elections staff will use the Ballot Layout PC to create a BOSS
database containing all necessary data to generate DRE and
absentee/mail/provisional ballots. From BOSS, the County will

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-5

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

write Mobile Ballot Box (MBB) PC cards that will enable precinct
voting for Early Voting and Election Day. MBBs will also enable
printing of absentee/mail/provisional paper ballots. From BOSS,
the County will also produce FLASH cards with audio files to
support voting by the hearing and literacy impaired.

Absentee/Mail/Provisional Voting
To support the requirement for an absentee/mail/provisional paper
ballot system that can process up 200,000 ballots in a 12-hour
period, we are including three Ballot Now stations, each consisting
of

A Dell Optiplex GX260 PC, running Ballot Now, eSlate's

integrated absentee/mail/provisional paper ballot application.
(Like the Ballot Layout PC, the Ballot Now PC will be
standalone, not connected to any network internal or external to
the County.)

Connected to the Ballot Now PC will be an HP 9000dn laser

printer for producing ballots on demand and a Kodak i830
scanner for scanning/imaging voted ballots.

Supporting image processing for each station will be two Dell

GX260 PCs with a small form factor chassis

Tabulation and Reporting
An additional Dell Optiplex GX260 PC, also standalone, will be at
the Central Count Site for Election Day tabulation (the "Tabulation
PC"). This PC will run Tally, eSlate's tabulation and reporting
application. Connected to the Tally PC will be an HP 2300 laser
printer for printing reports, and an Epson LQ-570e impact printer
for real-time printing of the audit trail during tabulation.
To support remote or regional tabulation reporting, Hart is
proposing establishment of 5 satellite collection centers. Each
satellite will be equipped with a Dell Latitude 640 laptop running
Rally, the eSlate application that aggregates cast vote records and
electronically transmits unofficial totals to the Tabulation PC at the
Central Count Site.
Election Officials will deliver Judge's Booth Controllers, with
MBBs still sealed in the JBC's MBB slot, to the satellites. There,
election staff will remove and read the MBB; results will be
electronically transmitted to the Central Count Site. This
configuration will result in accelerated reporting of unofficial
Election Day results.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-6

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

Warehousing and Storage
An additional Dell Latitude C640 laptop will be used to support
warehouse and maintenance requirements. SERVO, the eSlate data
and asset management application will be installed on the laptop.
For the first and second countywide elections, Hart will provide
service and support to assist with the warehousing, storage, and
maintenance process.

Service and Support
Hart will provide a comprehensive support program prior to the
election, including a dedicated Account Manager, data support,
integration support, testing (including acceptance testing and logic
and accuracy testing), and other services necessary to fully prepare
for initial use of the eSlate System.
Hart InterCivic Technical Specialists configure, install, and test the
eSlate System software applications and the associated hardware
purchased by the County as part of the purchase contract.
Installation of hardware is defined as delivery and setup of
computer equipment ordered by the County; installation, and
checkout of software purchased; and installation of associated
hardware (such as scanners and printers) purchased by the County.
Technical Specialists also support customer acceptance testing and
deployment of eSlate components, equipment, and systems, as
identified in the implementation plan. Additional technical support
may be provided by the eSlate Customer Support Center on an as-
needed basis. This includes on-site technical support the County
may require; long-term assistance in meeting the demands for
training Clerk and Recorder office staff, Election Officials and poll
workers; or if necessary, system design and data migration
assistance for an existing legacy system(s) interface.

Training
In addition, Clerk and Recorder's office, IT staff, Election
Officials, and poll workers will be fully trained in all aspects of the
System's operation relevant to their responsibilities. Hart
InterCivic provides fully qualified training personnel to
accomplish all training included in the implementation plan. All
aspects of the training program have been carefully designed and
selected, be it the training methods themselves, the types of
trainers, or the training materials, to produce an outstanding
educational system. Distinguishing features of the instructional
program include the following:

Specific courses are offered for each element in the eSlate

electronic voting system.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-7

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

Instructors leading poll worker training classes reflect the

ethnic and language diversity of the County.

Professionals with education, training, and curriculum

experience design the courses.

Software courses are supplemented by operations and training

manuals.

Enrollees in poll worker courses receive Quick References and

Desk Reference Job Aides that offer simple, easy-to-find
procedural information.

Lead Poll Workers also receive detailed training manuals.
Courses employ multi-media instructional tools with a

laboratory or "hands-on" approach, including simulation and
problem solving exercises, examinations, and training
evaluations.

Instructors are trained in the special methods for instructing

adult learners.

Courses have low teacher/student ratios to insure that all

trainees have hands-on experience and receive individualized
instruction.

A key component is our train-the-trainer program, which

ensures the County is fully prepared to provide training
independently.

Details of Hart InterCivic's training program are included in
Attachment 10, eSlate Comprehensive Training Program.

Voter Education and Outreach
Introducing the new Boulder County eSlateTM Electronic Voting
System to the Boulder County community will require a
coordinated program of community outreach that recognizes the
County's demographics and cultural diversity. The outreach
program must be inclusive, seeking to deliver information about
the new voting system and the importance of participating in the
electoral process to all eligible voters in Boulder County. The
program must assure that no one is left uninformed because the
program failed to reach out to a particular segment of voters. The
program must take into consideration race, ethnicity, age, gender,
religion, lifestyle, socio-economic status, place of residence within
the county, educational attainment, party affiliation or non-
affiliation, or any other discriminator. Effectively executed, we
believe that the introduction of the new voting system can
contribute to a renewed enthusiasm in the democratic process and
an increase in voter participation. Therefore, Hart InterCivic is

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-8

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

proposing that the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder's Office
launch an ongoing program of community outreach and education.
Hart InterCivic leads the industry in the development of voter
education programs that support the implementation of new
electronic voting systems. For example, HarrisVotes!, the
comprehensive voter education program developed by Hart
InterCivic for Harris County, Texas, has received national
recognition as PR Week Magazine's Community Relations
Program of the Year for 2002 and recognition from NACRC for
excellence in election practices.
In order to support the voter education and outreach program for
Boulder County, Hart InterCivic has engaged the services of
GBSM, a prestigious public affairs/communications firm based in
Denver with experience in broad-based community outreach
programs. For more than 15 years, GBSM has been involved in
many of the region's most important projects, including the
opening of Denver International Airport for United Airlines, the
extension of E-470 from Southeast Denver to D.I.A., the siting of
Coors Field and the community input process surrounding future
uses of Boulder's Barker Reservoir.
The GBSM team includes men and women with extensive
experience in the media, politics, political campaigns and
community outreach in both Boulder and the greater metropolitan
area. With the addition of GBSM, Hart InterCivic's voter
education team has extensive expertise in marketing, public
relations, government affairs and community relations. The team
also has significant experience in implementing customized voter
education and outreach programs of varying sizes for eSlate
customers throughout the United States.

Voting with the eSlate System

The following discussion presents an overview of the election
process using the eSlate System. It is not
intended to be an exhaustive review of all
possible procedures or activities. Rather, this
overview is designed to produce a basic
understanding of eSlate's operation in Boulder
County.

Election Preparation
Preparing for an election begins by entering
information into the Ballot Origination Software

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-9

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

System (BOSS). For Boulder County, BOSS will receive data
through an automated import from the Integrity Election
Management System.
Typically, jurisdictional information, such as precinct and polling
place names, is entered prior to an election cycle. When an
election cycle begins, election specific information is entered into
BOSS by import from the Integrity Election Management System;
data can also be manually entered when necessary.
The import will include links between contests, precincts, polling
places, etc., as supported by the data in the Integrity System.
Additional formatting and configuration is completed, and ballot
styles are automatically generated. Ballot content is then proofed
using the reports provided by BOSS.
Once the content is verified, ballot generation produces the
electronic ballot data file that contains all the ballot styles
necessary for the election. This file is copied to the Mobile Ballot
Boxes (MBBs) that then are installed in the Judge's Booth
Controllers and used with the Ballot Now absentee/mail
application. At the option of the County, the MBBs may be
installed and secured in the JBCs at the warehouse or,
alternatively, the MBBs may be installed at the polls.
Because all possible ballot styles are stored in the Mobile Ballot
Box (and not the voting units), each Judge's Booth Controller is
identical until a polling place code is entered, either by County
staff at the warehouse or by a poll worker in conjunction with
opening the polls. Furthermore, since there is programming
required for individual eSlate and Disabled Access Units, any unit
may be used at any location, greatly simplifying the distribution
and delivery of equipment, as well as the allocation of additional
units in the event voter turnout exceeds expectations.

Equipment Distribution and Polling Place Setup

The eSlates, Disabled Access Units, Judge's Booth
Controllers, and Mobile Ballot Boxes are either
delivered by warehouse staff to the polling place or
are transported to the polling place by the poll
workers. The eSlate voting units are stored and
transported in the specially designed eSlate voting
booths.
The eSlate voting booth measures just 24.75" x
25.75" x 6.5" (when folded). It may be moved
with ease through regular door openings into

polling places and storage areas of various sizes. The lightweight

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-10

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

nature of the booth (i.e., 28 pounds with eSlate containing batteries
inside) eliminates the need for wheels on any storage or
transportation cases. Several eSlate booths, along with a JBC and
necessary supplies, can be transported in most standard vehicles.
The eSlate storage caddy can also serve as a transport carrier when
used with a standard hand truck.
At the polling place, booths are set up and the JBC is located
adjacent to the roster book. The JBC is the host for a closed
network consisting of one JBC and from one (1) to twelve (12)
eSlates (or DAUs), with the exact number to be used based upon
the size of the precinct and the anticipated turnout of registered
voters. Only one electrical outlet is required to connect the voting
equipment.

Opening the Polls
As a first step after the equipment setup is complete, power is
applied to the JBC. This causes the internal software to run a
power-up self-test. Including diagnostics on each eSlate voting
unit. In addition, a check is performed for the presence of the
MBB. The JBC reads the MBB and verifies that it contains the
proper election and ballot data.
Next, the poll workers, in accordance with directions on the JBC
screen, input the polling location into the JBC and assign booth
numbers to the eSlates. Assigning booths is accomplished merely
by pressing the ENTER button on each connected eSlate. At this
point, a Zero Tape Report is printed from the JBC, confirming that
no votes have been cast on the equipment.
After the report is printed, the poll worker, again following the on-
screen instructions, selects "Open Polls." The polls then are open
and each connected eSlate is available to receive voters.
At this time, the JBC creates an audit log of the time polls were
opened. That audit log includes the serial numbers of all eSlates
and DAUs connected to that specific Judge's Booth Controller.
This entire process, from booth set up to opening polls, may be
completed in minutes. A typical polling place, with 5 eSlate units,
can be fully set up and ready for voters in 15 minutes or less.
The eSlate System includes numerous features that support the
management of the polling place. For example,

When the polls are opened, the status lights across the top of

the JBC indicate the status of each voting unit: Green indicates
the unit is operational and ready to accept votes, red indicates
that the unit is in use, flashing lights indicate a voter has
requested assistance.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-11

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

To protect against operator error, only after the Zero Tape

Report is produced does the JBC display the option to open the
polls. As an added security feature, poll workers may be
required to enter a password to open the polls.

These and other polling place management features are discussed
in detail in response to specific requirements in the RFP.

Obtaining Authorization to Vote
To begin the voting process, a voter
presents the necessary identification to
the poll worker for validation of
eligibility to vote. The poll worker
looks up the voter's name in the voter
registration records, which generally
associates an alphanumeric ballot style or precinct number with the
voter. The appropriate ballot style or precinct number then may be
input into the JBC directly by the poll worker or may be selected
from a list provided by the JBC through a set of menu screens.
After the required data are entered, the JBC responds with a

randomly generated four-digit Access Code that is
displayed on the JBC screen and printed on a ticket
by the JBC printer. The Access Code ticket is
detached and given to the voter and he/she is
directed to the next available voting booth by poll
workers. The Access Code is linked to the ballot
style that is correct for that voter. It only prompts
the system to present the correct ballot on the screen.
There is no link between the Access Code and the

identity of the individual voter.
Hart InterCivic also has considerable experience with the
integration of the eSlate System and electronic voter rosters. In this
case, the voter's name is entered either manually, or by swiping a
card with a magnetic stripe or bar code, and the voter registration
data matched to the name. The voter's precinct is identified and
automatically transmitted to the JBC, which produces the correct
access code for the voter's ballot style.

Voting
Ballot Navigation Tools. The lower portion of the eSlate includes
a set of distinctly shaped control buttons and the SELECTTM
wheel. These features enable the voter to review the ballot and
cast votes effortlessly and with absolute accuracy.

SELECT turning this wheel moves the "cursor" or "ballot

focus" through the ballot;

Clave de Acceso

4192

Date: 11-07-2000
Time: 15:42:21
Place: Mesa Elementary
Precinct: 0010

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-12

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

ENTER when a selection is highlighted, pressing this button

causes the highlighted selection to be recorded;

NEXT takes the voter to the next page of the ballot;
PREV takes the voter to the previous page of the ballot;
HELP provides the voter with context sensitive operating

instructions (if pressed once) and signals a poll worker that
assistance is requested (if pressed twice); and

CAST BALLOT used when the voter has completed his or

her selections and wants to record his or her vote.

Assistance for Voters. At any time during the voting process, the
voter may press the HELP button to receive on-screen instructions.
Each Help window has options available in context with the type
of action required by the voter. Pressing HELP twice will cause
the status light on the JBC for that booth to
flash red and green, indicating to the polling
place officials that the voter in that booth has
requested personal help.
Making Selections. The voter first selects
language preference from the choices presented
on the screen. The eSlate screen then instructs
the voter to enter his or her Access Code.
He/she does that by using the SELECT wheel
and the ENTER button. When all four digits of
the Access Code have been correctly entered,
the eSlate voting terminal validates the Code with the JBC, loads
the correct ballot style, and displays the first page of the ballot.
Simultaneously, the booth status light on the JBC turns red,
indicating that the booth is in use.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-13

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

Exhibit 1: Ballot Summary Screen CAPTION

Confirming Selections. Each page of the ballot is displayed
consecutively as the voter moves through the ballot. The eSlate
will not accept a CAST BALLOT command until the voter has
viewed all contests on the ballot as shown on the Ballot Summary.
The Ballot Summary is displayed to the voter after he/she votes in
the last contest on the last page of the ballot, or presses NEXT after
viewing the last page of the ballot. The Ballot Summary also will
appear if the voter presses CAST BALLOT before having
completed either of the above.
Upon entering the Ballot Summary, the voter is presented with a
race-by-race/issue-by-issue list of ballot selections, including
contests in which the voter has made no selection (i.e.,
undervoted). Those undervoted contests are indicated by the
phrase "No Selections," which appears in red type. At that time,
the voter is given the opportunity to select any contest(s) in which
he or she wishes to make or change a selection. By scrolling the
SELECT wheel to highlight the desired contest and then pressing

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-14

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

ENTER, the voter will go directly from the Summary to the
specific contest or proposition to make a choice or a change in a
previous selection.
When the voter is finished making his or her selections, he/she
presses the CAST BALLOT button. At that instant, the ballot is
electronically recorded as a Cast Vote Record (CVR) in three
physically separate locations for security. Until the voter presses
CAST BALLOT, he/she is free to make changes to previously
recorded selections.
Protections Against Unauthorized Voting and Overvoting. A voter
is prevented from voting twice in the same election by the normal
methods to validate, process, and sign-in voters. In addition, once
a voter uses an Access Code, it cannot be re-used as the JBC
invalidates it. Security is further enhanced by the fact that the
Access Code is valid for a limited time period. That time is set by
elections officials and programmed in the Ballot Origination
Software System, with the default being 30 minutes after it has
been printed by the JBC.
A voter may not select more choices than allowed for each contest
or ballot issue. If a voter attempts to overvote a contest, the eSlate
System will, in a contest that requires a single vote, deselect the
first selection, and replace it with the second selection the voter
chooses. In a contest where the voter may vote for multiple
candidates for an office (e.g., presidential electors), the eSlate
System will not accept more votes than are allowed. The voter is
required to delete a previous selection before adding one that
would exceed the maximum allowed.

Private, Independent Voting for Voters with Disabilities
Voters with disabilities cast their ballots on units that are virtually

indistinguishable from those used by voters
with full physical capabilities. This is possible
because regular eSlate units convert to Disabled
Access Units (DAUs) simply by adding a
special module that is virtually undetectable.
Yet, it enables the DAU to accommodate even
the most handicapped voters.
Visual Impairments. Voting on the eSlate is
simple. The visually impaired voter is qualified
to vote and receives an Access Code in a

procedure identical to that for other voters. The voter then will be
escorted to a voting booth by a poll worker. The poll worker will
provide a brief overview of the eSlate System operation, help the
voter understand how to operate the control buttons, and assist the

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-15

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

voter in positioning the headphones and adjusting the volume for
the audio ballot reader, if necessary. The voter then may choose to
have the poll worker read the four-digit Access Code to him/her to
enter or to have other assistance in entering the number. From this
point, the voter may cast an independent, secret ballot.
Once the Access Code is entered, ballot navigation is
accomplished with the SELECT wheel. To assist the visually
impaired or literacy challenged voter, the Disabled Access Units
play a complete recording of all ballot instructions and ballot text.
As the voter rotates the SELECT wheel, the text of highlighted
boxes will be "read" to the voter through the headphones. The
noticeable click of the wheel as it rotates further orients the
visually impaired voter as he/she moves through the ballot.
Each time the ENTER button is pressed, the audio reader will
confirm the choice recorded by the voter and the system will
automatically advance to the next contest. As with the standard
operation of the eSlate, the system will prevent the visually
impaired voter from overvoting any race. The visually impaired
voter will have the opportunity to review ballot choices as the
audio reader confirms them on the Ballot Summary. He/she may
return to the ballot and make or change choices as many times as
desired.
The audio component utilizes a human voice (not a computer
generated one) and is recorded at the direction of local elections
officials. This permits the audio to reflect local pronunciation
patterns and accents.
Other Physical Disabilities. The eSlate System provides additional
features that allow voters with other physical disabilities to cast a
secret ballot.
Each eSlate, when upgraded to a Disabled Access Unit, allows
multiple means of auxiliary input by persons with physical
disabilities. These include two large, externally mounted controls
("jelly switches") that permit operation of the unit by people
lacking fine motor skills or digital dexterity.
The Disabled Access Unit also may be operated by any standard
medical accessible switch (i.e., a "sip-and-puff" device often used
by disabled voters to operate their wheelchairs). Once the disabled
voter is qualified for voting, the sip-and-puff switch may be
disconnected from the wheelchair and plugged into the Disabled
Access Unit. The voter then may vote independently, using only
breath control (and not manual controls) to navigate through the
ballot.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-16

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

Curbside Voting. The highly portable eSlate readily
accommodates voters who cannot enter the polling place. Poll
workers, regardless of age or physical strength, will be able to
assist curbside voters, as the eSlate weighs less than eight pounds
when fully equipped with the special access features for the
disabled and the battery pack.
Procedures used for curbside voters follow those for other voters.
Once a curbside voter's qualification to vote has been established,
the voter will be assigned an Access Code in the prescribed
manner. Next, an election official will enter that Code into an
eSlate unit on the end of the daisy chain network, one that has a
battery pack installed and is usually set up as a Disabled Access
Unit. The official then will detach the network cable and take the
eSlate to the voter, instruct the voter on the operation of the unit,
and allow the voter to complete the voting process in the privacy of
the vehicle.
When the voter has cast the voted ballot, the official will return the
voting unit to the polling place and re-connect the network cable.
At that time, the voter's Cast Vote Record will be recorded in the
Judge's Booth Controller and Mobile Ballot Box just like all the
other ballots cast in the polling place.

Closing the Polls
Once voting is complete, the polls are closed using a two-step
process to protect the integrity of the election information:
(1)

The eSlates are shut down so

that they cannot be accessed again
for voting; and
(2)

The final public and private

counter of the JBC, time of closing,
and the electronic serial numbers of
all devices and ballot types are
stored and copied to the MBB. After
this action, the MBB is closed.
These two steps are performed automatically by the JBC. Once the
polls are closed, they cannot be re-opened. In polls closed status,
the JBC can print an unofficial tabulation and/or transfer results by
modem to Tally. The MBB then may be removed and transported
to a tabulation center or substation.
Multiple security features protect the balloting information. Once
the MBB is removed from the JBC, a copy of the data remains
intact in the JBC as a backup. The information also is stored
separately on the individual eSlates to retain a record of all votes

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-17

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

cast on each device. During poll closing, the JBC also prints a tape
showing a summary total accounting for all Access Codes issued
by the JBC.

Early Voting
With the eSlate System, voters from any precinct in the County
may vote at any voting site, because each Mobile Ballot Box
produced for an election contains data for every precinct and ballot
style in that election. A single Mobile Ballot Box can store up to
10,000 different ballot styles, thus providing a tremendous amount
of flexibility to elections officials.
Voting activity throughout this period may be monitored easily, as,
at the close of polls after each day of Early Voting, a suspend polls
report will be printed. This report contains daily and cumulative
summaries of Access Code activity and detailed precinct-by-
precinct listings of how many voters from each precinct voted at
that location.

Once Early Voting concludes, all units
deployed to Early Voting locations may be
converted easily and quickly for use on Election
Day, if desired. To facilitate this, the Cast Vote
Records and other data stored redundantly in
the Judge's Booth Controllers and eSlate/DAU
voting units may be backed up onto electronic
storage media, such as a CD-ROM. This media
then will be secured as a backup for the
respective MBB, which remains the master

record of voting.
Mobile Ballot Boxes will be removed from the Judge's Booth
Controllers and secured for later use with Tally to tabulate election
results at the appropriate time. The equipment then will be reset
using SERVO so that all Cast Vote Records are removed from the
voting units' and the JBCs' internal memories. A new MBB may
then be inserted into each JBC to be used on Election Day. During
subsequent poll opening procedures on Election Day, a new Zero
Report Tape will be generated.
Backup and reset procedures may be accomplished in
approximately 15 minutes. Multiple processes may be completed
simultaneously.

Absentee/Mail/Provisional Voting

Ballot Now, the absentee/mail application, allows the elections
staff to produce paper ballots in-house/on-demand, or to produce
electronic files for off-site, commercial vendor printing. As a

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-18

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

result, it provides elections officials with a highly scalable
solution, fully integrated with the eSlate electronic voting system.
The process begins when Ballot Now derives ballot information
from the election data on the MBB created with the Ballot
Origination Software System. Ballots, which are printed either in-
house or by a commercial print facility. The ballots are printed on
common sized papers, and mailed to voters in standard envelopes.
The ballots printed by the Ballot Now system do not require the
precise print registration necessary for optical scan systems.
When voters return the cast ballots, the ballots are digitally imaged
using commercially available scanners. Scanning occurs without
interruption as the Ballot Now system electronically queues ballots
requiring review by an elections official; the imaging process need
not be stopped each time a decision on voter intent is required. At
that time, cast vote data are extracted and Cast Vote Records are
delivered on the same election's MBB(s) to the Tally application
for tabulation. To enhance the security of the voting process, the
Cast Vote Records are recorded in two separate locations. In
addition, the paper ballot may be retained.
When required, resolution of questions regarding voter intent
occurs through Ballot Now's unique on-screen resolution feature.
Undervotes and overvotes can also be automatically resolved,
requiring no manual intervention. In the event of a challenge, an
audit track captures all resolution actions, whether manual or
automatic.
Accessibility for the disabled is a design feature of Ballot Now as
well. When marking the paper Ballot Now ballots, voters with
special needs may require assistance in marking their choices on
the ballot. Because of Ballot Now's capability to detect and
interpret a much wider range of voter markings than typical optical
scan systems, the opportunity to vote a secret ballot is now
available to voters with limited fine motor skills who previously
required assistance.
Provisional Voting
The Ballot Now process for provisional ballots is generally the
same as described above for other absentee and mail ballots. Upon
return to the election office, voted provisional ballot packets are
reviewed to determine voter eligibility. Packets from ineligible
voters are "rejected" and set aside; "accepted" ballot packets from
eligible voters are processed according to statutory requirements
and local procedures for inclusion in the tabulation process.

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-19

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

Tabulating Votes and Reporting Results
The eSlate System tabulates the totals at the polling place level. It
quickly transmits summarized, unofficial voting results directly
from the JBC to a tabulation center or substation, using a standard,
off-the-shelf modem and telephone (either land line or wireless)
connection. This type of electronic transmission may be adapted
or upgraded easily to utilize more advanced telecommunications
technology as it becomes available. A summary report(s) of the
tabulation may be printed from the Judge's Booth Controller as
well.
Voting results also may be transmitted directly from the polling
place to another location (after the polling place is closed) by
simply removing the MBB from the JBC and transporting it to the
assigned location. The MBB used in Ballot Now operations also
may be transported in this manner. Official results are obtained by
reading the MBBs into the Tally tabulation and reporting
application.
Tally produces a variety of standard reports, any of which may be
exported in PDF, HTML and other standard formats, for
dissemination electronically or in paper copy.
As defined and required, Tally results reporting will include the
functionality necessary to meet the Colorado Secretary of State's
election reporting process.

Recount
The eSlate System readily meets the current requirements of
Colorado Election Code for recounts. For votes cast on the eSlate
DRE units, this is a simple process of reading the MBBs into a
"fresh" Tally database. Reports from the recount process are
easily compared to the original tabulation to verify results.
Recounts of absentee/mail/provisional ballots also duplicate the
original process. A recount Ballot Now database is created.
Ballots are scanned and resolved following the same procedures
and resolution guidelines as the original process. The recount
CVRs are tabulated via a Tally recount database, and results
reports generated.
The eSlate System supports additional methods for recounts. To
accomplish a manual recount, Cast Vote Records may be extracted
from the eSlate and/or Judge's Booth Controller and viewed
electronically. They also may be printed to reconstruct the election
and count votes ballot-by-ballot. The random manner in which
individual Cast Vote Records are recorded at the time each vote is

ART

NTER

IVIC

3-20

OLUTION

VERVIEW

OULDER COUNTY

COLORADO

VOTING TABULATION SYSTEM

cast allows this detailed reconstruction to be accomplished while
maintaining complete voter anonymity.
The eSlate System's SERVO application provides a tool for
recount capability. Since each vote cast on the eSlate DRE is
recorded in three separate memory locations (triplicate original
Cast Vote Records), data from each JBC and individual eSlate
memories can also be compared to the MBB results creating a
distributed, closed-loop process that provides redundant cross
verification of election results. This makes the ability to recount
election results a seamless option for every election cycle,
therefore increasing the confidence of election officials and voters.

Storage and Maintenance
When the election is complete, JBCs and eSlate units are returned
to the warehouse to be reset and stored. The eSlate System requires
no special environmental or power accommodations for storage,
and most maintenance activities can be performed without opening
the eSlate's voting booth/storage case.
At the warehouse, the eSlate System's SERVO application is used
to archive data and create an equipment inventory record for the
units used in the election. SERVO provides an election records and
asset management system for the Hart InterCivic eSlate Electronic
Voting System.
SERVO is a software application that tracks the eSlate System
equipment maintained by the County and assists in Cast Votes
Record archiving and election data management. SERVO is used
to back up cast vote records and audit logs from eSlates and JBCs
used in an election. The backed-up data can then be used to
provide reports on Cast Vote Records, audit logs, and equipment
used.
SERVO is also used to recover data from equipment in the case of
a lost or damaged MBB, and to reset equipment as needed.
SERVO uses the triple redundancy features of the Hart InterCivic
eSlate Electronic Voting System to their fullest advantage.
Election results are initially generated from the direct reading of
MBBs into Tally. SERVO generated recount data from the JBC
and eSlate memories can also be used to compare the MBB results
creating a distributed, closed-loop process that provides redundant
cross verification of election results. This makes the ability to
recount election results a seamless option for every election cycle,
therefore increasing the confidence of election officials and voters.