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VOTING TABULATION
BOSS includes an Import/Export utility to externally manage the database data
through specifically formatted text files. Each text file represents a data element
in the BOSS database, including:
election
equipment
party
polling places
precinct
contest
candidate
polling place and precinct associations
contest and precinct associations
The Import/Export utility does not allow users to manipulate cast ballot data.
Upon executing the utility, the user is prompted to select a target BOSS database.
The user selects the data elements to be imported through a "Select Element to
Import" dropdown list box and specifies the import file name in the "Import
File/Path Name" by either manually entering the path and filename or by selecting
it using the "Browse" command button. Users may preview the import file by
pushing the "View Import Text File" command button. This brings up the import
file for view and/or edit. The import process is then completed by pressing the
"Import Records" command button to import the records from the selected file.
The utility validates all records to be imported. Users have the ability to repair
invalid records by pushing the "Repair Invalid Records" command button. The
repair interface will inform the user of the validation issue, and which element of
the data record is faulty.
(2) Provide a detailed description of the process for creating the election
structure. This should include setup of election information, if any;
import of data; processing; audit checks; reports; etc.
Hart InterCivic Response
BOSS uses an intuitive menu-driven interface in the data entry and ballot
formatting process that virtually "walks" the user through the steps necessary to
define the election and create ballot styles. To start a new election the user enters
the name of the election and selects the "import file" function to import all race,
candidates, measures, precincts, districts, rotation, and the relationships between
each from Boulder County's Integrity system. Data may be entered manually, as
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well. BOSS provides reports on the import process so that the user may verify the
process is complete.
From there, the user may select from a series of options that complete ballot
formatting. At this point, the ballots for the election are generated and the MBBs
are written. Ballot formats for both the DRE and absentee/mail ballots are
generated at the same time. All activities in BOSS are recorded to the audit log,
which may be reviewed as required. BOSS also produces a variety of reports that
can be used to proof the election structure and set up.
(3) Provide a detailed description of the reports and processes that will allow
the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder to proof the ballot types to ensure
the data is interpreted correctly.
Hart InterCivic Response
BOSS produces reports that permit proofing of ballots before the database is
locked: (1) the Ballot Content Proof Report and (2) the Entire Ballot Slate report.
The Ballot Content Proof report lists the information contained in each ballot style
generated by BOSS. The report includes:
ballot formats
ballot styles created for a ballot format
ballot header text
precincts that will use a particular ballot style in the election
precinct/precinct split name
number of registered voters in the precinct/precinct split
number of precincts that use the ballot style
number of registered voters that use the ballot style
for each active contest in each ballot style, lists in order of appearance on
the ballot:
contest type
contest name
number of write-ins allowed in the contest
straight party, where applicable
The Entire Ballot Slate report shows:
ballot text for the contest
contest name
number of write-ins allowed in the contest
contest type
number of options in the contest
straight party, if applicable
if the contest is cumulative, displays Cumulative
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if the contest is dependent, displays Dependent on XXX, where XXX is
the choice in the related contest that this item is dependent upon number
of votes allowed in the contest
options for an Office type contest, including
party affiliation, name, and incumbent status (shown as (I) for
incumbent) for each candidate
write-ins, and
delegate names for each candidate
options for a Proposition type contest, including text for the proposition
for (Yes), and
against (No)
5.0
ABSENTEE/MAIL BALLOT VOTING PROVISIONAL BALLOT
5.1 Requirement
The system shall provide an absentee/mail/provisional ballot/provision ballot
component from which paper ballots can be generated through a ballot
layout system and a means by which such ballots can be tabulated. This
system shall meet, at a minimum, the following:
a. It shall be integrated with the entire voting system provided.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot Now, the eSlate System's paper Ballot (Absentee/Mail/Provisional)
application is a unique software solution for on-demand, in-house or commercial
printing of paper ballots for absentee/mail voting, provisional voters, or other
special situations requiring paper ballots.
Ballot Now scans and digitally images the voted ballots, resolving unclear ballots
through an innovative on-screen resolution process; capturing Cast Vote Records,
and creating a comprehensive audit trail.
Ballot Now is fully integrated within the eSlate System.
Data imported into eSlate's Ballot Origination Software System is used to
generate both DRE and absentee/mail ballots.
Ballot styles for both are written on Mobile Ballot Box PC cards.
As votes are cast, Cast Vote Records are created that have identical
formats for both DRE and absentee/mail.
All Cast Vote Records are tabulated by Tally, eSlate's tabulation and
reporting application.
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Standard reports routinely present consolidated totals for absentee/mail
and DRE.
b. The component that generates and tallies the absentee ballots shall be
programmed from the same database and election definition that is used
to program the precinct voting devices.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot Now ballots are formatted and generated through the eSlate System's
Ballot Origination Software System (BOSS), at the same time, and from the same
data, as the ballots to be presented on the DRE screen.
Using the BOSS import wizard, data is imported from Integrity into BOSS.
Formatting choices for the paper/absentee/mail ballots are made in BOSS
(columns, paper size, etc.), and a Mobile Ballot Box is written that carries Ballot
Now ballot data.
As paper ballot votes are recorded, Cast Vote Records are created that are
structured the same as Cast Vote Records from DRE ballots. All Cast Vote
Records, whether originating from paper ballots or the DRE, are stored on a
Mobile Ballot Box (MBB) and tabulated through Tally, eSlate's tabulation and
reporting application.
c. The output of the absentee/mail/provisional ballot/provisional ballot
layout system shall be subject to edits, if necessary, by an editing
component within the system. That is, contests shall be able to be moved
if necessary by column breaks, page breaks, cut and paste processes, etc.
Hart InterCivic Response
As noted, Ballot Now ballots are generated through BOSS. Using BOSS, users
can specify column breaks, page breaks, or make other formatting choices in
order to edit the absentee/mail layout.
d. The output of the absentee/mail/provisional ballot/provisional ballot
layout component shall be readily exportable so that a commercial
printer can generate the ballots necessary for any election held within the
County.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot Now produces formatted ballots in electronic images (print files) that may
be exported and printed by commercial printers. Ballot Now can also print ballots
"on-demand" using commercial, off-the-shelf printers.
Ballot Now printing options include printing ballots with or without ballot stubs,
and with or without serial numbers. In addition, Ballot Now provides paper
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ballots in a variety of templates that use paper sizes of 8 ½" x 11", 8 ½" x 14",
and 11" x 17"; simplex and duplex ballots are supported, as well as multi-page
ballots. All of these different sizes of ballots, however, may be folded into the
same size standard ballot envelope.
e. It shall be reliable, accurate, and operate at a speed that accommodates a
timely tally of the votes generated by it.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot Now performs with 100% accuracy and offers several features designed to
ensure accuracy and reliability.
Unlike optical scanning systems, there is no requirement for precise registration
marks in printed ballots, thus reducing the margin for error in ballot production.
The system automatically adjusts for skewed or damaged ballots, and identifies all
marks within the target zone.
Ballot Now uses commercial off-the-shelf scanners and printers, and operates at
the full rated speed of each. Ballot Now does not stop scanning due to ballot
mismarks or write-ins, instead creating a digital image of the ballot for later
resolution by election officials. Ballot Now also includes efficiency features that
increase productivity throughout the process. For example, each Ballot Now
ballot includes a bar code that identifies the precinct or ballot style. This
eliminates the need to sort ballots before scanning, which eases the workload for
the Elections Staff and speeds ballot processing.
For the Boulder County installation, Hart is pleased to propose Kodak's High
Speed Series i830 Document Scanners. The i830 handles an unsurpassed range of
document sizes, thickness, and surface quality to minimize stoppages and the
need for rescans. The feeder, exit hopper, and controls are positioned
conveniently to help operators work efficiently. Features like easy operator
calibration and multi-feed detection based on length and thickness help any
imaging application meet its quality control needs.
We are proposing three Ballot Now systems for Boulder County. The proposed
configuration will support imaging of 200,000 ballots in 12 hours.
f. Absentee results shall be easily integrated with Election Day and early
voting results.
Hart InterCivic Response
Since Ballot Now is a fully integrated component of the eSlate System, absentee
results and Election Day results are seamlessly integrated. Both components
capture votes as Cast Vote Records (CVRs), CVRs are saved on the MBB (among
other redundant storage), and the MBBs supply data to Tally for tabulation and
reporting.
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A significant technical advantage that Ballot Now offers is the fact that the Cast
Vote Records are not tabulated when the ballots are processed. This technical
advantage translates into a tremendous operational advantage since processing of
Ballot Now ballots can begin up to 10 days before Election Day as defined in the
Colorado Election Code.
Section 1-8-302 of the Colorado Election Code specifically allows ballots to be
processed beginning 10 days prior to Election Day, although under no
circumstances are results to be released. Ballot Now can process all by-mail
ballots in accordance with state law so that the electronic Cast Vote Records can
be read in a matter of seconds on Election Day. There is no risk of exposing
returns prematurely.
g. It shall be subject to a full audit and generate reports and logs that would
facilitate such an audit.
Hart InterCivic Response
Like all eSlate components, Ballot Now maintains a complete audit log. Audit
Log reports are available from the system. Ballot Now also creates an electronic
image of each ballot that is securely and safely stored to create a permanent
record of the election. The paper ballot is maintained in its original format, unlike
older generation optical scan systems that require election officials to physically
alter the paper ballot so it may be re-scanned.
h. It shall allow for the tabulation of provisional ballots that are verified
after Election Day.
Hart InterCivic Response
Cast Vote Records for provisional ballots may be accepted or rejected, as
appropriate, until the tabulation database for the specific election is closed.
i. It shall support the generation and tally of optical scan type ballots if
required.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot Now does produce optical scan-type ballots, but with several advantages
over older generation optical scan systems. Exhibit IV-4 provides a description of
some of the differences.
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Comparison of Ballot Now and Traditional Optical Scanning
Optical Scanning System
Ballot Now
Ballot Now Benefit
Requires voting response areas to be
located on a specific grid limiting flexibility
of the ballot design.
No grid required so that as ballot
design evolves, there is no limitation
on the placement of information.
Flexibility in Ballot Design
The reading or scanning mechanisms (read
head) for optical scan systems are known
as "contact image sensors" and are made
up of a series of individual, discrete emitter-
detector pairs. The response of the
individual emitter-detector pairs is different
so that one pair may recognize a mark
while another pair may ignore the same
mark. Calibration methods do not allow for
the individual pairs to be adjusted; only the
entire set of emitter-detector pairs to be
averaged.
The imaging component used by
Ballot Now is a Charge-Coupled
Device (CCD), a highly integrated
semi-conductor "array" that maintains
a flat response across the
component for consistent
performance.
Accuracy and consistency
Relies on dimensional stability of the ballot
stock and the accuracy of the printing
process. A 10% increase in relative
humidity can cause a piece of paper to
expand as much as 1%. The dimensional
relationships between the voter response
areas and position of the emitter-detector
pairs are on the order of 0.25 inches. A 1%
change for an 11-inch piece of paper is
0.11 inches, almost half the distance of the
voter response and sensor relationship.
Ballot Now eliminates the need for
dimensional stability and printing
accuracy by imaging the complete
document. By intelligently analyzing
the image in computer memory,
these artifacts have no impact on
accuracy.
Ensures scanning accuracy
When ballots are read by the optical scan
system, the ballot must be perfectly aligned
with the read mechanism or the ballot will
not be properly read. If the ballot is fed into
the system off axis the voter response
areas will not align with the emitter-detector
pairs in the read head.
Ballot Now eliminates the need for
the ballot to be perfectly aligned
when fed into the system. By
intelligently analyzing the image in
computer memory, this condition has
no impact on accuracy. If there are
gross alignment issues, Ballot Now
will alert the user.
Accuracy
Requires a sensing track along the edge of
the ballot that is made up of individual
sense marks. The sense marks line up
with the voter response areas across the
ballot and "trigger" the read head to scan a
line on the ballot. The optical scan system
never identifies the voter response area;
the system assumes the response area is
in the proper location and blindly takes a
reading. The assumption that the voter
response area is in exactly the correct
position is based on the element identified
Ballot Now actually locates the voter
response area for each contest and
then analyzes the interior area for
voter marks. No assumptions are
made about the location of the voter
response area, every option of every
contest is positively located and the
interior analyzed.
Accuracy and reliability
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Comparison of Ballot Now and Traditional Optical Scanning
Optical Scanning System
Ballot Now
Ballot Now Benefit
above.
Uses proprietary hardware that has not
significantly improved the performance and
accuracy of optical scan systems since the
release of the system in the 1960s and
early 70's.
Ballot Now relies on commercial off-
the-shelf digital imaging scanners
that are developed and
manufactured by some of the largest
information technology providers.
Scalability and continual improvement
Exhibit IV-4: Comparison of Ballot with Traditional Optical Scanning Solutions. Ballot Now's unique digital imaging
process and ballot-on-demand capability provides important advantages to Boulder County in terms of accuracy,
reliability, convenience, and flexibility.
5.2 Proposer's Response
b. How do you propose to meet this requirement? Make sure to include
item(s) listed below:
(1) Give a comprehensive description of the absentee/mail/provisional ballot
component of your system.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot Now, eSlate's digital absentee balloting application, is a paper balloting
system that is fully integrated with the eSlate Electronic Voting System. Ballot
Now manages the printing, scanning, and resolution of paper ballots for absentee
or provisional voting. Ballot Now also records voted ballots as electronic Cast
Vote Records (CVRs) for tabulation through the eSlate Tally tabulation and
reporting system.
Ballot Now retrieves ballot information from the Mobile Ballot Box (MBB)
written by the eSlate's Ballot Origination Software System (BOSS), using the
same process as that used to define ballots for the eSlate Precinct Voting System.
As a result, Ballot Now provides Boulder County Elections Officials with a
highly scalable absentee/mail/provisional solution, fully integrated with the eSlate
System.
Ballot Now ballots can be produced in an electronic file and provided to
commercial printers for volume ballot production, or printed on demand by
commercial, off-the-shelf printers.
Competitors' "on-demand" systems require ballots to be preprinted for specific
precincts or ballot styles. This means that Boulder County election officials must
forecast and manage the inventory of ballots for requirements that are difficult to
a. Will you meet these requirements?
Yes X No
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anticipate. Other ballot on demand systems require special stock with preprinted
"ovals" or other target marks that may or may not conform to particular ballot
requirements. Ballot Now ballots require no preformatting.
Ballot Now ballots include a bar code that identifies the precinct or ballot style.
This eliminates the need to sort ballots before scanning, which eases the workload
for the Elections staff and speeds ballot processing. Bar codes prevent duplicate
scanning, which is the most frequent error in centrally processing optical scan
ballots, and fraudulent ballots.
Ballot Now also includes a unique on-screen feature that increases the efficiency
and accuracy of ballot resolution and avoids the need to alter the original paper
ballot in any way. Ballot Now identifies ballots requiring resolution, based on
local procedures and State law. The ballot resolution process allows Election
Officials to review the digital image of the ballot on the computer screen to record
write-in votes or resolve questions of voter intent. As issues are resolved,
Elections Officials use a simple menu-driven interface to make and record
decisions; Ballot Now also includes an auto-resolve feature that can be used if
determination of voter intent is not required.
Processing write-in votes is particularly streamlined. Prior to scanning the
ballots, the Elections Staff enters into Ballot Now the names and acceptable
aliases for certified write-in candidates. Part of the ballot resolution process is
then to accept or reject the voter's write-in choice according the list of certified
candidates. With this method, all selections, including write-ins, are recorded
electronically in Ballot Now.
Since all resolution issues are accomplished on-screen, there is no need to alter or
handle the paper ballots. All ballots are preserved in their original forms
requiring no alterations, in the event re-evaluation of the voter's intent is required.
All actions taken related to the ballot resolution are recorded with descriptive
detail in the Ballot Now audit log to provide a traceable record of events all the
way back to the individual ballot (but not the voter).
(2) Describe the speed and accuracy of your absentee/mail/provisional ballot
generation and tally features.
Hart InterCivic Response
Ballot processing is fast and 100% accurate.
Unlike optical scanning systems, there is no requirement for precise registration
marks in printed ballots, reducing the complexity and margin for error in ballot
production. The system automatically adjusts for skewed or damaged ballots, and
identifies all marks within the target zone.
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The innovative design of the Ballot Now system allows scanning equipment to
work continuously at rated scanner speed, since image processing is accomplished
separately but parallel with scanning operations. The scanner feeds continuously
and does not stop for ballot resolution issues (namely undervotes, mismarks,
overvotes). Digital images of questionable ballots are stored electronically, and
retrieved for resolution at an appropriate time determined by local practice.
Also, multiple Ballot Now stations (scanners) may be operated simultaneously to
achieve complete processing in any given period of time. The means the system is
highly scalable.
To support the process of scanning voted Ballots, Hart InterCivic is
recommending the Kodak i830 Scanner with High-Volume Capture Software,
which has a rated speed of 160 pages per minute (8½ x 11, landscape).
(3) Describe the reliability of your absentee/mail/provisional/provisional
ballot features.
Hart InterCivic Response
Through testing by the Independent Testing Authority and independent tests
performed as part of Hart InterCivic's ISO 9001 registered quality management
system, Ballot Now has consistently demonstrated its reliability and performance.
In addition, since the configuration proposed for Boulder County include three
Ballot Now stations that can operate concurrently, the County will have a
redundant system in unlikely event one of the stations is out of service.
(4) Describe the process to audit your absentee/mail/provisional ballot
processes.
Hart InterCivic Response
Like all components of the eSlate System, Ballot Now creates a complete audit
trail of all actions affecting the operation of the absentee/mail system. The audit
trail is documented in the Ballot Now Audit Trail Report. The Audit Trail report
lists the transactions users performed in Ballot Now.
Transactions that result in changes to the data stored in the database, and that are
listed in the Audit Trail report include:
transaction record number
username of the user logged in to Ballot Now when transaction occurred
date transaction occurred
time of day transaction occurred
code for the transaction