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the battery pack, the eSlate weighs just 5.2 pounds, the lightest weight DRE on
the market. Procedures used for curbside voters follow those for other voters.
e. The devices shall provide a means for voters with limited dexterity to
vote.
Hart InterCivic Response
Because of the SELECT Wheel design, the eSlate is the most accessible system
for voters with mobility impairments. Whereas voters with limited dexterity may
find touching a precise target zone on a touch screen difficult or impossible,
voters with limited dexterity or even severe mobility challenges are able to
navigate the eSlate's ballot independently using the SELECT Wheel. For
example, mobility impaired voters have cast independent votes on the eSlate
System using mouth straws (pointing devices), feet, and even with partial limbs.
The eSlate DAU also allows multiple means of auxiliary input by persons with
physical disabilities. These include optional, externally mounted controls ("jelly
switches") that permit operation of the unit by people lacking fine motor skills or
digital dexterity. The DAU also may be operated by any standard dual medical
accessibility switch (a "sip-and-puff" device often used by disabled persons to
operate their wheelchairs).
We are proud that the eSlate is rated as the highest ranked voting system in terms
of accessibility in the November issue of AccessWorld Magazine. This is based on
a review of voting systems by the American Foundation for the Blind Technology
and Employment Center.
f. If the devices are contained in a voting booth, the booth legs should
provide sufficient width to allow wheelchair access, or provide for an
alternative solution.
Hart InterCivic Response
The eSlate System includes a booth especially designed for wheelchair access,
including wide legs, a steeper angle of view, and lower height to provide comfort
for wheelchair voters. Voters without disabilities may also use the booth.
15.2 Proposer's Response
b. How do you propose to meet these requirements? Address all
requirements listed above, making sure to include item(s) listed below:
(1) What is the procedure for constructing the audio ballot (i.e. text-to-
speech and voice recording)?
a. Will you meet these requirements?
Yes X No
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Hart InterCivic Response
Audio files (.wav files) are created in BOSS through an integrated recording
process or may be imported to the system if recorded externally by a translator.
During the ballot definition process, election officials (or language specialists) use
a standard PC headset to record ballot information. The audio files are written to
a PC card, which is inserted into a slot in the Disability Access Unit.
(2) Describe the equipment and procedure required for a visually impaired
voter to cast a ballot? Is an additional or unique voting unit required?
Hart InterCivic Response
Voters with disabilities vote on units that are virtually indistinguishable from
those used by voters with full physical capabilities. This is possible because
regular eSlate units convert to accessible units simply by adding a special module
(DAU) that is virtually undetectable. The DAU provides a slot for the PC Card
containing audio files and two ports, one for headphones and one for alternative
mobility devices.
Visually impaired voters use the same eSlate voting device and controls as all
voters. No additional voting unit is required. The DAU presents a complete
recording of all ballot instructions and ballot text, and gives users verbal
confirmation of every selection as it is made.
The disability access unit module enables the eSlate to accommodate voters with
even the most profound disabilities by supporting any standard dual switch
accessibility device, such as a "sip-and-puff."
When confirmed as a qualified voter, the visually impaired voter is assigned an
Access Code and escorted to a voting booth by a Polling Place Official or other
authorized individual. The escort provides a brief overview of the eSlate System
operation, helps the voter
understand how to
operate the control buttons, and
assists him or her in positioning the headphones and adjusting the volume for the
audio ballot reader. Then, the escort either reads the four-digit Access Code to
the voter for him or her to enter or provides 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. The ENTER button is used to record voter choices. As the
voter rotates the SELECT Wheel, the text of highlighted boxes is "read" to the
voter through the headphones. The noticeable click of the wheel as it rotates
further helps the voter feel his or her way through the ballot (providing audible
and tactile clues for ballot navigation).
Each time the ENTER button is pressed, the audio reader confirms the choice
recorded by the voter and the system automatically advances to the next contest.
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As with the standard operation of the eSlate, the system prevents the visually
impaired voter from overvoting any race. The visually impaired voter has the
opportunity to review his or her choices as the audio reader confirms them on the
Ballot Summary. He or she may return to the ballot and make or change choices
as many times as desired.
(3) How will the devices support an enlarged ballot?
Hart InterCivic Response
The eSlate's System 3.0 affords the voter the option to select a larger font display
of English ballots at each individual voting unit. In this manner, the voter makes
the choice of the large type ballot privately.
The eSlate System Version 2.1 currently uses a standard 18-point font ballot text.
The font size can be increased, if Election Officials wish to provide a standard
font that is larger than 18-point. Since the eSlate is not a touch screen, it also
accommodates standard sheet magnifiers.
(4) Describe the procedure for a poll worker to remove a voting unit for
laptop or curbside voting.
Hart InterCivic Response
The highly portable eSlate readily accommodates voters who cannot enter the
polling place. Poll Workers, regardless of age or physical strength, are 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. It
fits comfortably in the voter's lap.
Procedures used for curbside voters follow those for other voters. Once a
curbside voter's qualification to vote has been established, the voter is assigned an
Access Code in the normal manner. Next, an election official enters that Code
into the last eSlate unit in the string; one that has a battery pack installed and is
usually set up as a DAU. The official then detaches the network cable and takes
the eSlate to the voter, instructs him or her on the operation of the unit, and allows
the voter to complete the voting process in the privacy of the vehicle.
When the voter has cast his or her ballot, the official returns the voting unit to the
polling place and re-connects the network cable. At that time, the voter's Cast
Vote Record is recorded in the JBC and MBB as with all the other ballots cast in
the polling place.
(5) Describe the equipment that would allow voters with specific needs to
vote and cast their ballot (i.e. dexterity or hand mobility impaired voter).
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Hart InterCivic Response
The eSlate System provides additional accessibility features that allow voters with
other physical disabilities to cast a secret ballot.
The DAU allows multiple means of auxiliary input by persons with physical
disabilities. These include optional, externally mounted controls ("jelly
switches") that permit operation of the unit by people lacking fine motor skills or
digital dexterity.
The DAU also may be operated by any standard dual medical accessibility switch
(a "sip-and-puff" device often used by disabled persons 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 DAU. The
voter then may vote independently, using only his or her breath (and not his or her
hands) to navigate through the ballot.
All ADA access features may be used interchangeably, in whole or in part, with
the eSlate's standard interfaces, thus allowing the voter to overcome a wide range
of physical challenges he or she might face in casting a ballot.
(6) Describe how a voter who uses a wheelchair would access the voting
device?
Hart InterCivic Response
At the option of the customer, Hart includes with each DAU a specially designed
eSlate Voting Booth positioned at a special angle, lower in height, and with
widely spaced legs to permit easy wheelchair access. The design of the booth
presents the ballot to all voters at a comfortable, easy-to-view angle, while
allowing poll workers and clerks to easily monitor activity at each booth.
Individuals in wheelchairs or who require or prefer a lower voting surface are able
to cast their votes in comfort and privacy by using the specially designed eSlate
voting booth.
Although similar in appearance to the standard voting booth, this booth places the
voting terminal at a height and angle ideally suited for voters in wheelchairs or
those who need a shorter voting platform.
(7) Have you received any awards or any endorsements from groups that
represent voters with specific needs? Please provide the awards or the
endorsements, if you have.
Hart InterCivic Response
Harris County, Texas, was recently honored with a joint award from the National
Association of Counties and the National Organization on Disabilities for its
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efforts to expand the voting process and enable disabled voters to exercise their
rights at the polling place independently. The award included the accessibility
features of the eSlate Electronic Voting System, currently being implemented in
Harris County. Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman invited representatives of
Hart InterCivic to join her at the award presentation.
Hart InterCivic has worked with organizations such as the National Federation of
the Blind, the National Organization on Disabilities, and the American
Association of People with Disabilities to obtain input and guidance regarding the
accessibility features of the eSlate System. Letters from representatives of the
National Federation of the Blind and the National Organization on Disabilities are
attached as Attachment 5: Awards and Endorsements.
We are proud that the eSlate was rated as the highest ranked voting system in
terms of accessibility in a recent issue of AccessWorld Magazine, based on a
review of voting systems by the American Foundation for the Blind Technology
and Employment Center. The Center provided us with the following statement:
"(The Center has) just completed a project in which we evaluated 4
electronic voting machines, including the eSlate by Hart InterCivic,
the AVC Edge from Sequoia Voting Systems, the iVotronic from
Election Systems and Software, and the Vote-Trakker from Avante
International Technologies. (Note: Diebold's system was not made
available for review). We evaluated them for usability and
accessibility to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Although all the machines are usable and they are a huge step
forward over the way blind and visually impaired people currently
vote with assistance from poll workers or relatives, we do rate the
eSlate as the best machine we looked at. It scored highest in overall
usability and our testers liked the easy to use linear ballot and the
fact that audio and visual voting can be used simultaneously. We
also found the eSlate to have the highest level of cross-disability
access, with accessibility features to accommodate people with non-
visual disabilities. We will be publishing our results in the
November issue of our AccessWorld magazine."
16.0 PRECINCT VOTING (MULTIPLE LANGUAGES)
16.1 Requirement
a. The proposed system shall provide a method by which voters can choose
the language of the ballot.
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Hart InterCivic Response
Voters choose their preferred language without the assistance of poll workers, in
the same manner that they cast votes.
16.2 Proposer's Response
b. How do you propose to meet this requirement? Make sure to include
item(s) listed below:
(1) Describe the process for choosing the ballot language for the voter.
Include all responsibilities of the poll worker and voter, and at which
point in the process the language is selected.
Hart InterCivic Response
At the polling location, the first screen the voter is a language selection screen
that displays all available languages for the election. Once the voter selects a
language, all further text and audio information is delivered in the selected
language. There is no requirement for Polling Place Officials to assist in selecting
a language other than English.
17.0 PRECINCT VOTING (HARDWARE CONFIGURATION)
17.1 Requirements
a. The proposed system shall contain, at a minimum, the hardware
components necessary to process voters and deliver totals for closing the
polls, i.e., voting devices, controller unit (if required for system), printer
for zero tapes, overall results and voter receipt.
Hart InterCivic Response
The eSlate Precinct Voting System includes all hardware necessary to operate a
polling place, including voting device (eSlate), controller (JBC) and printer for
zero tapes, voter receipts, and other reports (built in to the JBC).
b. The components shall be as small and weigh as little as possible.
Hart InterCivic Response
The eSlate is the lightest weight DRE on the market, and has a compact, efficient
design. Weights and dimensions are detailed in Exhibit IV-13 below.
c. The components shall be durable.
a. Will you meet these requirements?
Yes X No
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Hart InterCivic Response
eSlate customers have a rugged, durable voting system that ensures them of many
years of accurate, reliable operation. The eSlate is engineered to meet military
specification for durability (MIL-STD-810). As an added benefit of eSlate's
environmental tolerances, there is no need to store the units in an expensive,
climate-controlled warehouse.
d. The proposed system shall produce, at the time the voter votes his or her
ballot or at the time the polls are closed, a paper version or
representation of the voted ballot or of all the ballots cast on a unit of the
voting system. The paper version shall not be provided to the voter but
shall be retained by the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder for use during
any recount or contest, as required by Colorado Revised Statutes.
Each vote that is cast on the eSlate DRE or through a paper ballot produced by
Ballot Now creates a Cast Vote Record. The Cast Vote Record is an alphanumeric
representation of each ballot face.
The eSlate System can produce paper copies of
all Cast Vote Records recorded during an election. This process is managed
efficiently after polls close and when the equipment is returned to the warehouse.
The eSlate's SERVO utility serves as a tool for data archiving, and SERVO can
facilitate the export of CVRs for subsequent printing.
An example of the paper representation of the Cast Vote Record is included
below in Exhibit IV-12 , Paper Version Representation of the Voted Ballot.
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Exhibit 12. Paper Version Representation of the Voted Ballot: Each time a vote is cast on the eSlate System, a
Cast Vote Record is created. The Cast Vote Record can be printed in paper version to create a complete paper
trail for all ballots.
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e. The proposed system shall be capable of printing a receipt (not ballot
facsimile) for the voter at the polls, should the County ever be required or
choose to do so.
Hart InterCivic Response
The eSlate System can print a receipt at the polling pace for each voter. As each
vote is cast, a record of the access code is reported to the JBC. The receipt
indicates the voter's access code, time and date of voting and other information,
but does not reveal the voter's choices. The same feature allows the polling place
official to determine the current status of any issued Access Code through the
JBC ("check code" feature).
Hart InterCivic has also developed a voter verifiable paper ballot solution in the
event Federal or Colorado standards require such an approach. The system has not
yet been submitted for certification. We are awaiting the clarification of standards
and requirements for such an approach. However, our proposed approach
minimize the complexity and delays that may accompany voter verifiable ballot
systems through the use of a ballot review station. Additional detail on this system
are available at Boulder County's request.
f. The proposed system shall have the capability of operating on back-up
power should the need arise.
Hart InterCivic Response
Each eSlate polling place component will accommodate a battery pack that can
power the unit for more than 18 hours (double or triple that of other electronic
voting systems on the market today).
17.2 Proposer's Response
b. How do you propose to meet these requirements? Address all
requirements listed above, making sure to include item(s) listed below:
(1) Describe which components are used at the polls on Election Day.
Hart InterCivic Response
The following components of the eSlate Electronic Voting System are deployed at
the polling place.
a. Will you meet these requirements?
Yes X No
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eSlate
The eSlate is the device voters use to cast their ballots at the polling place.
The eSlate is approximately 16" tall, 10" wide, and 2.75" deep, weighing
approximately 5.2 pounds. Given its compact size and light weight, the
device is highly portable. Information is displayed to the voter through a full
SVGA LCD display, illuminated by a backlight, with a durable polycarbonate
screen that protects the display from damage in intense usage environments.
Backup power is provided by a "D" cell battery pack.
The eSlate includes an integrated selector, known as the Precision Ballot
Navigation System. The selector is a type of Rotary Optical Encoder (ROE)
technology through which the voters select their preferences by turning the
SELECT Wheel, and pressing the adjacent ENTER button when the preferred
choice is highlighted. Other buttons, all of which are designed to be highly
tactile and intuitive, allow the voter to obtain assistance in using the device,
move to the previous or next screen, and cast the ballot.
Judge's Booth Controller
The eSlate System's JBC is located at each polling place and networked
within the polling place to the eSlates. The JBC supports the Polling Place
Official in controlling and monitoring the election process in the polling place
or precinct. Each JBC controls up to 12 eSlates and enables the Polling Place
Official to know which booths are in use at any given time. The JBC includes
a built-in printer for printing ballot Access Codes, test and election
information, and voter receipts. The JBC issues an Access Code linked to the
voter's precinct. When entered on the eSlate by the voter, the Access Code
informs the JBC of the correct ballot to present to the voter. The Access Code
does not link to the voter's identity. The JBC also holds the PCMCIA flash
memory card (MBB) on which election information and cast votes are stored
and manages modem transmission to election central headquarters.
Disability Access Unit (DAU)
The eSlate System is ADA accessible by design. The eSlate can be upgraded
to a DAU to accommodate various devices that support voting by the
disabled. The DAU is an optional device that can be installed in an eSlate and
provides the following additional features:
audio output for "reading" the ballot to the voter,
a slot to insert a flash memory card (MBB) containing audio data, and
remote switch input used for physically challenged voters, supporting a
range of alternative input devices including breath control ("sip-and-puff")
devices.