CA1280825C - Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatus - Google Patents
Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1280825C CA1280825C CA000535538A CA535538A CA1280825C CA 1280825 C CA1280825 C CA 1280825C CA 000535538 A CA000535538 A CA 000535538A CA 535538 A CA535538 A CA 535538A CA 1280825 C CA1280825 C CA 1280825C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vote
- enabling
- ballot
- counting
- election
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C13/00—Voting apparatus
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An apparatus for enabling electronic computerized counting of votes cast by voters in an election. The apparatus is adapted to enable electronic computerized recording, counting, and storing of votes cast by voters on ballot cards at precinct polling places remote from a central district office without exposing the ballot card to any person other that the voter. It is further adapted to enable electronic computerized programming and testing of the election at large, control of the introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, and reading, aggre-gating, and tallying of the stored precinct counts for delivering the results of the election. The apparatus includes a plurality of electronic computerized precinct workstations, each adapted to read, count, and store the votes cast at a precinct polling place, powered by a self-contained battery. The apparatus further includes an electronic computerized central district workstation, adapted to program and test the election control programming of the individual precinct formats, and read, aggre-gate, and tally the stored precinct vote counts for generating the election results.
An apparatus for enabling electronic computerized counting of votes cast by voters in an election. The apparatus is adapted to enable electronic computerized recording, counting, and storing of votes cast by voters on ballot cards at precinct polling places remote from a central district office without exposing the ballot card to any person other that the voter. It is further adapted to enable electronic computerized programming and testing of the election at large, control of the introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, and reading, aggre-gating, and tallying of the stored precinct counts for delivering the results of the election. The apparatus includes a plurality of electronic computerized precinct workstations, each adapted to read, count, and store the votes cast at a precinct polling place, powered by a self-contained battery. The apparatus further includes an electronic computerized central district workstation, adapted to program and test the election control programming of the individual precinct formats, and read, aggre-gate, and tally the stored precinct vote counts for generating the election results.
Description
BACKGROt~ND OF THE INVENTION
The inverltiorl relates generally to apparatuses for enablirlg the countir~g of voees irl an election. It relates specifically to such arl apparatus adapted to enabIe electronic computeri~ed programming, testirig, formatirlg, countirlg, storing, readirlg, aggregatirlg arld delivery of the results of votes recorded by votecs on ballot cards without exposing the ballot card to any person other than the voter.
~The prior art includes devlces, at a central statiorl in ar~
election district, for electronically counting arld deliverirlg the results of votes cast on ballot cards at polling places ir~
election precirlcts remote from the central station, upori bringing sealed ballot boxes, in which the ballot cards are irlserted by the~voters, fron such remote stations back to the central station.
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~15 Such devices are adapted for use irl a number of states which ; ~ permit ballots to be transpocted uncour~ted from the remote precinct polling places back to the certtral statior~ for counting.
However, a large number of states which use ballot cacds in elections require that the votes recorded on such ballot cards be counted at the remote precinct polling places, with the results of such vote counts to then be delivered to a cer~tral station, as by a telephorle report thereorl, at which cer~tral station all such , '; :; '' 1~80BX~ `
votes are then tallied to provide the results o~ the electior~.
Such requiremerlt for orl-site courltirlg is gerlerally based orl ar effort to mairltain the secrecy of the ballots arld reduce the opportur~ities for tamperirlg with the ballots ill arly manrler, arld to erlable ready iderltificatiorl of the persorls resporlsible for the ballots ~or irlvestigation and interrogatiorl in the everlt of any votir~g irregularities.
In those states which require on-site vote courltirlg at remote precinct polling places the sealed ballot box irl which the ballot cards are inserted by the voters must be urlsealed at such remote site to enable counting of such ballots. This procedure eliminates the secrecy of the ballots ar~d provides arl opporturlity for tampering with the ballots, outside of the direct control of supervisory personr~el at the cerltral station. Further, there are 15~ rlo supervisory corltrols to irlsure that~ the electiorl is cor~ducted pursuarlt to the agreemerlt of all persorls resporlsible for the corlduct of the electiorl at each such remote precirlct pollirlg place. Still further, the courlti-lg of the votes orl the ballot cards is performed marlually, a very time-corlsumiilg, error-prorle, 20 nori-sec~et, arld rloll-secure process. ~he telephorlirlg-irl of the results of the vote is likewise an error-prorle, rlorl-secret, arld rlorl-secure method of trarlsmittirlg same.
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80~3~5 StlMMA!~Y OF THE INVENTION
The irlver~tiorl is adapted to overcome the above problems, as well as others, associated with the prior art. It provides ar efficierlt arld effective apparatus for erlablirlg electrorlic computerized readirlg arld courltirlg of votes cast by voters orl ballot cards, at precirlct pollirlg places, located remote from a cerltral statiorl irl the electiorl district where such vote courlts are tallied, for each office or issue beirlg voted orl irl the electiorl without exposirlg such ballot cards to arly persor~. It further provides such arl apparatus for erlablirlg electrorlic computerized programmirlg arld testirlg of the electiorl at large, corltrollirlg of the irltroductiorl of the electiorl irlto irldividual precirlct formatsl arld readirlg, aggregatirlg, arld tallyirlg of the stored precirlct vote cour~ts at the cerltral statiorl irl the ~; ; electioïl district,~for eïlablirlg delivery of the results of the lS elec:tioTI for such district regarding each office or issue beirlg ; voted orl irl the electiorl.
, he apparatus irlcludes a plurality of programmable electrorlic vote-countirlg devices, each adapted to courlt the votes recorded by voters orl ballot cards at the pre~irlct pollirlg place remote from the cerltral statiorl, arld to store such vote count, for each separate office or issue beirlq voted orl in such electior~. Each ` such electrorlic vote-courltirlg device is adapted to be corlrlected : to a ballot box such that the ballot card, after the voter ~ `
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records the votes thereirl, is irlserted by the voter irlto the device arld, after processirlg by the device, is ejected from the device irlto the ballot box to which the device is corlrlected, ~or storage of the read arld courlted ballot card thereirl irl complete secrecy arld security.
The:apparatus ~urther irlcludes a programmable electrorlic vote-courlt readirlg device, adapted enable electrorlic computerized programmirlg arld testirlg of the electior~ at large, corltrollirlg of ~: ~ the irltroductiorl of the electiorl irlto irldividual precirlct : 10 formats, readirlg, aggregatirlg, arld tallyirlg of the vote-courlt : stored irl each of the electrorlic vote-courltirlg devices, arld deliverirlg the results of the electiorl, for each office or issue voted UpO}I, at the cerltral statiorl of the electior~ district.
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To set up the apparatus for use irl a particular electiorl, the cerltral statiorl vote-courlt readirlg device is programmed for the offices arld/or issues beirlg voted orl irl each precirlct. The ~ ~ ~ cerltral statiorl device is therl used to program arld test the : ~ electiorl at large, arld corltrol the irltroductiorl o~ the electior into individual preclTlct ~ormats programmed irl irldividual :20:~ pr~ecirlct EPROM cartridges, adapted for use irl each precirlct vote-courltirlg device, with the offices arld~or issues beirlg voted orl irl each such precirlct. Each EPROM cartridge is therl placed lrl a precirlct vote-courltirlg device, each such device beirlg corlrlected to a sealed ballot box. Each precirlct vote-courltirlg device arld ' , .
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ballot box is therl trarlsported to the precirlct pollirlg place.
Each is powered by a self-cor~tairled battery pack.
Or~ electiorl day, each precirlct vote-courltirlg device is irlitialized, ballot cards are irlserted thereirl by voters after recordir~g their votes or~ such cards, the cards are read irlterrlally lrl the device arld the votes for each office arld/or issue are courlted arld stored arld the ballot cards are stored irl the sealed ballot box. Wherl the electiorl is over, the device is shut dowr~, arld therl trarlspocted back to the cerltral statiorl, where the stored vote courlts are read, aggregated, arld tallied, arld the results of the electiorl are delivered by the cerltral statiorl vote-courlt readirlg device for each office arld/or issue voted uporl.
The above features oE the device erlable readirlg, courltirlg, ~ and~storirlg of votes recorded by voters orl ballot cards at a precirlct pollirlg place, arld storirlg of the ballot cards orl which ; such votes are recorded, irl a secret, secure, efficient and -efective mar~rler, without opporturlity for disclosure thereof or tamperirlg therewith. Such features Eurther provide programmirlg, testirlg, formating of the election, readirlg arld tallyirlg of the stored vote courlts at a cerltral statiorl, arld deliverirlg the resuIts of the electiorl irl a secure, efficierlt arld effective marlrler.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a precirlct vote-courltirlg device, corlrlected to a ballot box, pursuarlt to the irlverltiorl;
FIGURE 2 is a side elevatiorlal view of the precirlct vote-courltirlg device corlr~ected to the ballot box, pursuarlt to the irlverltiorl;
FIGURE 3 is a top plarl view of the precirlct vote-courltirlg ~ devlce, with the houslrlg lid operl;
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F~IGURE 4 is a perspective view of the computer irl the precinct vote-courltirlg devlce, with the lirle prirlter thereir prirltirlg out data i~rl duplicate orl separable sheets of paper;
~: FIG~RE 5 lS arl elevatiorlal view of the frorlt arld back of a ~ : sample ballot card used with thè precirlct ba110t-courltirlg device;
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FIGURE 6 is a frorlt elevatiorlal view of an irlitializirlg prirltout irl the precir~ct ba1lot-cour~tir~g device;
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lS ~ FIGURE 7 is a frorlt elevatiorlal view of a sample end card for the precirlct ballot-courltirlg device; and . . .
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FIGURE 8 is a frorlt elevatiorlal view of a sample corltrol card for the precirlct ballot-cour,tirlg device.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF' THE INVENTION
The irlverltiorl, as showrl irl FIGURES 1-8, arld as described hereirl, comprises arl apparatus for erlablirlg electrorlic computer-ized readirlg arld courltirlg of votes durirlg arl electiorl, at a plurality of remote electiorls precirlct statiorls, irl pollirlg places where votes are recorded by voters orl ballot cards without exposirlg the ballot cards to persorls other tharl the voter. The apparatus further erlables electrorlic computerized programmirig arld testirlg of the electiorl a~t large, controllirlg of the irltroductior of the electiorl irlto irldividual precirlct formats, readirlg, :assresatirlg, arld tallyirlg of the stored precirlct vote courlts after the electiorl, arld delivery of the results of the electior at a cerltral electiorl departmerlt statiorl.
The apparatus irlcludes a plurality~of precirlct workstatiorls, as 10, each adapted to be located at~precirlct pollirlg places remote from the central electiorls departmerlt office, arld to ~ receive ballot cards, as 12, on which voters have recorded their : ~ votes, as by markirlg irl a white~box opposite~the voter's selectiorl for each office arld/or issue~beirlg voted orl irl the: :
electiorl, as shown irl FIGURES 1-5. It lS further adapted to read~
the recorded votes from the ballot cards, as 10, arld to tally each vote with the selected carldidate a-ld/or lssue positiorl, regardless of the orierltatio-l of the ballot card upon insertior irlto the statiorl, as 10. It is still further adapted to courlt the votes arld store such courlt thereirl.
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~:aos~s Th~ apparatus further ir~cludes a district workstatiorl (r~ot showrl), located at the cerltral electiorls departmerlt district office, adapted to program arld test the electiorl at large, to eorltrol the irltroductiorl of the eleetiorl irlto ir~dividual preeirlet programs for corlductirlg the electiorl at each precirlct, to read, aggregate, arld tally the stored vote courlts from each preeirlet workstatiorl, after completiorl of the eleetiorl, arld to deliver the results of the electiorl for each offiee arld/or issue beirlg voted orl .
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;~ 10 Eaeh preeirlct workstatiorl, as 10, irleludes a housirlg 14, irleludirlg arl operlable lid 16. Lid 16 ir~eludes a wirldow 18, for viewirlg a display sereerl therethrough, a slot 20, through whieh a ballot eard, as 12, is irlserted, arld a label 22, whieh may be applied thereto to iderltify the partieular preeirlet pollirlg plaee where statiorl 10 is to be loeated, as showrl in FIGURE 1 .
Further, eaeh statiorl 10 is adapted to be eorlrleeted to a ballot box, as 24, by eorlrleetors, as 26, arld sealed to ballot box 24, as by seal 28, as showrl in FIGURES 1 arld 2. Ballot box 24 irleludes a ballot eard reeeivirlg slot (rlot showrr).
Corltair~ed irl eaeh housirlg, as 14, are a ballot card reader 30, a programmable statiorl computer 32, a power switch 34, arld a eoslrleetitlg eable 36, as showrl irl FIGURE 3.
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Reader 30 irlcludes slots, as 38 at orle erld, at both erlds thereof, with a corltirluous charlrlel therethrough from orle slot the the other, through which slots arld charlrlel each ballot card, as 12, travels. Slot 38 is adapted to be aligrled with slot 20 irl lid 16 of housir~g 14 uporl closirlg lid 16 irl housirlg 14. The slot at the opposite erld of reader 30 is adapted to be aligrled with the slot irl ballot box 24.
Reader 30 is adapted to read ballot card 12 irl arly orierltatiorl irl which such card 12 may be irlserted thereirl by the voter, face up with the prirltirlg right side up or upside dowrl, or back side up with the prirltirlg r1ght side up or upside dowrl.
Reader 30 irlcludes arl irlterrlal computer thereby, adapted to take data read thereirl arld set up such data irl serial fashiorl to be trarlsmitted to statiorl computer 32. There are two readirlg heads irl reader 30, each adapted to optically scarr orle side of card 12 to serlse the marks recorded thereon by the voter. Such heads are further adapted to read the frorlt and back of card 12 simultaTIeously~ as card 12 moves through reader 30, readirlg all of the frorlt arld all of the back irl or~e movemerlt of the card.
Reader 30 further irlcludes two sets of rollers (rlot showrl), the first set precedirlg the read statiorl, to pick up card 12, the secor~d set at the erld of card 12 to propel card 12 out of the reader arld assure that it passes through the adjacerlt slot irl, arld irlto, ballot box 24. A motor drives all of the rollers ir , , ::.
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syrlchrorlizatior" to preverlt jam-up of the cacds. Readee 30 will rlot read or move a card 12 urltil statio!l computer 32 irldicates that it i5 ready to receive further data therefrom, such that if a~ attempt is made to stuff a secorld card 12 irlto reader 30 before the statiorl computer has completed courltirlg the first card 12, reader 30 will rlot rurl, arld will rlot accept the secorld card.
Ballot card 12 irlc1udes trackirlg marks, as 40, orl both frorlt arld back leadirlg edges thereof. These marks 40 are read by reader 30, arld the irlterrla1 computer thereirl interprets such ~l0 markirlgs atld the locatiorl thereof irl the stream of data read by the readirlg heads irl reader 30 to determirle the orierltatiorl of the card. Such irlterrlal computer in reader 30 therl urlscrambles arld rearrarlges the data, to be therl fed to statiorl computer 32 for use ir~ courltirlg the votes.
Contro1 cards, as 42 irl FIGURE 7, comprisirlg arl "erld"
furlctiorl card, and 44 irl FIGURE 8, COrQpriSirlg arl "irlitializirlg"
; furlctiori~card, are lrlserted irlto reader 30 at the appropriate pOitltS irl time with respect to the electi~r~. Such corltro1 cards erlable corltrol of the electiorl thereby, arld form part of arl audit of the corlduct o~the e1ectiorl, if required.
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Statiorl computer 3~ irlc1udes a cartridge receivirlg portiorl 46~ a display screerl 48, a lirle prirlter 50, arld a keyboard 52 as showrl irl FIGURES 3-4. Cartridge-receivirlg portiorl 46 is adapted ' :`
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to receive arl EPROM cartridge, programmed by arl EYROM programmer urlder the corltrol o~ the host cerltral statiorl computer. The host cerltral statiorl computer is programmed with the data for each separate precirlct electiorl; ar~d it corltrols the programmirlg of the irldividual EPROM cartridges through the EPROM programmer.
Each EPROM cartridge is programmed with the specific data, irlcludirlg iderltificatiorl of carldidates arld issues, rlecessary for corlductirlg the specific electiorl at each pollirlg place irl the electiorls district comprisirlg a sequer:ce of irlstructiorls regardirlg the specific electiorl takir~g place at a particular poll1rlg place, irlcludirlg two modes of irlstructioris, a supervisory mode for erlablirlg a supervisor to rurl tests, set up the device for courltirlg, trarlsmit data, obtairl audit irlformatiorl, charlge the dates arld times, or the like, arld a coutlti~lg mode for er~ablirlg courltirlg of the votes, for each office Ot issue beirlg voted orl ir~
the electiorl. Display screw 48 is adapted corlverltiorlalyy to display alpharlumeric irlformatiorl relatirlg to various electiorls furlctiorls. The display thereorl may be viewed, with lid 16 closed orl housirlg 14, through wirldow 18 irl lld 16.
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Lirle pri-lter 50 is adapted to prirlt e1ectiorl-related irlformatiorl pri~lted thereorl irl dupllcate orl prirltout paper comprised of a roll of two sheets 54 arld 56, orle over1yir~g the other, with lid 16 of housirlg 14 operl. The overlyirlg sheet 54 is adapted to be separable upon completiotl of individual electiorl-related functiorls. The urlderlyitlg sheet 56 is adapted , . ~ , ~L2,80a~5 to be a corltirluous sheet orl which irlformatiorl regardirlg all electiorl-related furlctiorls is retair~ed as arl audit record.
Irlformatior~ irl the supervisory mode of operatiorl of precirlct workstatiorl lO, prirlted irl duplicate orl sheets 54 arld 56 may, for example, be as showrl irl FIGURE 6. Keyboard 46 is adapted to erlable erltry of data therethrough irl the corlverltiorlal marlrler.
Power switch 34 is adapted to turrl "on" arld "off" ar~ irlterrlal d-c battery which provides power to the workstatiorl lO. Such battery further erlables the precirlct workstatiorl to operate ever if the precirlct pollirlg place loses a-c power. A morlitor irl housirlg 14 morlitors the corlditiorl of the power source to indicate whether it is critically low.
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Corlrlectirlg cable 36 is adapted to be plugged irlto the host cerltral statiorl computer to e~lable trarlsmission of data thereto for aggregatin~ the totals irl all precirlct statiorls lO to deliver the results of the electiorl. It may comprise a cable krlowrl as ar "RS 232n plug. Data from precirlct statior~s lO may be trarlsmitted directly from the remote precis-ct statiorl back to the host cerltral statiorl alterrlatively by arl accoustical modem, erlablirlg trarlsmissiorl of data over rlorma1 telephone lirles, or a modular modem corlrlectable to a modular telephorle jack where available.
The eleme~lts irl precirlct workstatior~ lO, specifically reader 30, statiorl computer 32, arld the power source, are all modular, i.e. desigr~ed ir~ such a way that if orle stops workirlg, it is )82S
easily arld rapidly replaceable with a rlew module, erlablirlg the electiorl to corltirlue. Further, workstatiorl 10 is lightweight arld relatively compact, erlablirlg it to be readily trarlsported betweer the cerltral arld precirlct locatiorls.
s The district workstatiorl at the cerltral electiorls departmerlt district office comprises a host programmable computer, which performs a rlumber of furlctiorls urlder the directiorl of supervisory electiorls persorlrlel. The host computer, based orl electiorls programming thereof, gerlerates ballots irl facsimile format for each~irldivldual precirlct electiorl. Such data is therl fed out of the host to supervisory people to provide them with supportirlg irlformatiorl regardirlg what is supposed to be ir~ each precirlct workstatior~. ~he host computer further tests the electiorl as a whole, therl introduces such data irlto the EPROM format, corltrollirlg the pro~rammirlg of each precirlct EPROM cartridge.
The EPROM cartri;dge~is therl irlserted ir~ receivir~g portior- 40 of ; each precirlct workstatiorl computer 32, whereupon the electior~ is retested;at the precirlct level.
To set up the apparatus for ose ir- arl electior-, the host ~; 20 ~ cerltral statior~ computer is programrned~for the offices ar~d/or issues be~irlg voted orl irl each precir~ct. The host computer is ::: :
ther~ used, prior to electior~ day, to program arld test the electlor~ at large, and control the irltroductlorl of tbe electior ir-to irldividual precirlct formats programmed irl irldividual ; ~
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~280a;~5 precirlct EPROM cartridges, adapted for use irl each precirlct workstatiorl 10, with the offices arld/or issues beirlg voted orl ir each such precirlct. Each EPROM cartridge is therl placed irl a precirlct workstatiorl 10, each such device beirlg corlrlected arld sealed to a ballot box 24. Each precirlct workstatiorl 10 arld corlrlected ballot box 24 is therl trarlsported to the precirlct pollirlg place.
Orl electiorl day, each precirlct workstatiorl 10 is irlitialized, ballot cards 12 are irlserted thereirl by voters after recordirlg lo their votes orl such cards, arld the card 24 are read irlterrlally ir : the device by card reader 30 arld the votes for each office arld/or issue are courlted arld stored irl statiorl computer 32, arld the ballot cards 24 are stored irl the sealed ballot box 24. Wherl the electiorl is over, the precirlct workstatiorl 10 is shut dowrl, arld 15~ therl trarlsported:back to the cerltral statiorl, where the stored vote courlts are read arld tallied, arld the results of the electiorls are delivered by the cerltral statiorl computer for each office arld/or issue voted uporl.
~he above features of the device erlable readirlg, courltir~g, arld storirlg of votes recorded by voters orl bal}ot cards at a precinct pollirlg place, arld storirlg of the ballot cards on which such votes are recorded, irl a secret, secure, efficierlt ar~d effective marlrler, without opporturlity for disclosure thereof or tamperirlg therewith. Such features further provide programmirlg, ~ ~ .
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testirlg, formatirlg of the electiorl, arld readirlg arld tallyirlg of the stored vote courlts at a cerltral statiorl, arld deliverirlg the results of the electiorl irl a secure, efficierlt, arld effective marlrler .
Preferred embodimerlts of the irlverltiorl have beerl set forth above, for the purpose of explairlirlg the irlverltiorl. However, it is to be urlderstood that variatiorls may be made irl such : embodimerlts, which variatiorls are rlevertheless wihirl the scope arid spirit of the irlverltiorl, as set forth irl the claims hereirl.
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The inverltiorl relates generally to apparatuses for enablirlg the countir~g of voees irl an election. It relates specifically to such arl apparatus adapted to enabIe electronic computeri~ed programming, testirig, formatirlg, countirlg, storing, readirlg, aggregatirlg arld delivery of the results of votes recorded by votecs on ballot cards without exposing the ballot card to any person other than the voter.
~The prior art includes devlces, at a central statiorl in ar~
election district, for electronically counting arld deliverirlg the results of votes cast on ballot cards at polling places ir~
election precirlcts remote from the central station, upori bringing sealed ballot boxes, in which the ballot cards are irlserted by the~voters, fron such remote stations back to the central station.
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~15 Such devices are adapted for use irl a number of states which ; ~ permit ballots to be transpocted uncour~ted from the remote precinct polling places back to the certtral statior~ for counting.
However, a large number of states which use ballot cacds in elections require that the votes recorded on such ballot cards be counted at the remote precinct polling places, with the results of such vote counts to then be delivered to a cer~tral station, as by a telephorle report thereorl, at which cer~tral station all such , '; :; '' 1~80BX~ `
votes are then tallied to provide the results o~ the electior~.
Such requiremerlt for orl-site courltirlg is gerlerally based orl ar effort to mairltain the secrecy of the ballots arld reduce the opportur~ities for tamperirlg with the ballots ill arly manrler, arld to erlable ready iderltificatiorl of the persorls resporlsible for the ballots ~or irlvestigation and interrogatiorl in the everlt of any votir~g irregularities.
In those states which require on-site vote courltirlg at remote precinct polling places the sealed ballot box irl which the ballot cards are inserted by the voters must be urlsealed at such remote site to enable counting of such ballots. This procedure eliminates the secrecy of the ballots ar~d provides arl opporturlity for tampering with the ballots, outside of the direct control of supervisory personr~el at the cerltral station. Further, there are 15~ rlo supervisory corltrols to irlsure that~ the electiorl is cor~ducted pursuarlt to the agreemerlt of all persorls resporlsible for the corlduct of the electiorl at each such remote precirlct pollirlg place. Still further, the courlti-lg of the votes orl the ballot cards is performed marlually, a very time-corlsumiilg, error-prorle, 20 nori-sec~et, arld rloll-secure process. ~he telephorlirlg-irl of the results of the vote is likewise an error-prorle, rlorl-secret, arld rlorl-secure method of trarlsmittirlg same.
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80~3~5 StlMMA!~Y OF THE INVENTION
The irlver~tiorl is adapted to overcome the above problems, as well as others, associated with the prior art. It provides ar efficierlt arld effective apparatus for erlablirlg electrorlic computerized readirlg arld courltirlg of votes cast by voters orl ballot cards, at precirlct pollirlg places, located remote from a cerltral statiorl irl the electiorl district where such vote courlts are tallied, for each office or issue beirlg voted orl irl the electiorl without exposirlg such ballot cards to arly persor~. It further provides such arl apparatus for erlablirlg electrorlic computerized programmirlg arld testirlg of the electiorl at large, corltrollirlg of the irltroductiorl of the electiorl irlto irldividual precirlct formatsl arld readirlg, aggregatirlg, arld tallyirlg of the stored precirlct vote cour~ts at the cerltral statiorl irl the ~; ; electioïl district,~for eïlablirlg delivery of the results of the lS elec:tioTI for such district regarding each office or issue beirlg ; voted orl irl the electiorl.
, he apparatus irlcludes a plurality of programmable electrorlic vote-countirlg devices, each adapted to courlt the votes recorded by voters orl ballot cards at the pre~irlct pollirlg place remote from the cerltral statiorl, arld to store such vote count, for each separate office or issue beirlq voted orl in such electior~. Each ` such electrorlic vote-courltirlg device is adapted to be corlrlected : to a ballot box such that the ballot card, after the voter ~ `
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o~
records the votes thereirl, is irlserted by the voter irlto the device arld, after processirlg by the device, is ejected from the device irlto the ballot box to which the device is corlrlected, ~or storage of the read arld courlted ballot card thereirl irl complete secrecy arld security.
The:apparatus ~urther irlcludes a programmable electrorlic vote-courlt readirlg device, adapted enable electrorlic computerized programmirlg arld testirlg of the electior~ at large, corltrollirlg of ~: ~ the irltroductiorl of the electiorl irlto irldividual precirlct : 10 formats, readirlg, aggregatirlg, arld tallyirlg of the vote-courlt : stored irl each of the electrorlic vote-courltirlg devices, arld deliverirlg the results of the electiorl, for each office or issue voted UpO}I, at the cerltral statiorl of the electior~ district.
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To set up the apparatus for use irl a particular electiorl, the cerltral statiorl vote-courlt readirlg device is programmed for the offices arld/or issues beirlg voted orl irl each precirlct. The ~ ~ ~ cerltral statiorl device is therl used to program arld test the : ~ electiorl at large, arld corltrol the irltroductiorl o~ the electior into individual preclTlct ~ormats programmed irl irldividual :20:~ pr~ecirlct EPROM cartridges, adapted for use irl each precirlct vote-courltirlg device, with the offices arld~or issues beirlg voted orl irl each such precirlct. Each EPROM cartridge is therl placed lrl a precirlct vote-courltirlg device, each such device beirlg corlrlected to a sealed ballot box. Each precirlct vote-courltirlg device arld ' , .
~2~30~
ballot box is therl trarlsported to the precirlct pollirlg place.
Each is powered by a self-cor~tairled battery pack.
Or~ electiorl day, each precirlct vote-courltirlg device is irlitialized, ballot cards are irlserted thereirl by voters after recordir~g their votes or~ such cards, the cards are read irlterrlally lrl the device arld the votes for each office arld/or issue are courlted arld stored arld the ballot cards are stored irl the sealed ballot box. Wherl the electiorl is over, the device is shut dowr~, arld therl trarlspocted back to the cerltral statiorl, where the stored vote courlts are read, aggregated, arld tallied, arld the results of the electiorl are delivered by the cerltral statiorl vote-courlt readirlg device for each office arld/or issue voted uporl.
The above features oE the device erlable readirlg, courltirlg, ~ and~storirlg of votes recorded by voters orl ballot cards at a precirlct pollirlg place, arld storirlg of the ballot cards orl which ; such votes are recorded, irl a secret, secure, efficient and -efective mar~rler, without opporturlity for disclosure thereof or tamperirlg therewith. Such features Eurther provide programmirlg, testirlg, formating of the election, readirlg arld tallyirlg of the stored vote courlts at a cerltral statiorl, arld deliverirlg the resuIts of the electiorl irl a secure, efficierlt arld effective marlrler.
308~S
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a precirlct vote-courltirlg device, corlrlected to a ballot box, pursuarlt to the irlverltiorl;
FIGURE 2 is a side elevatiorlal view of the precirlct vote-courltirlg device corlr~ected to the ballot box, pursuarlt to the irlverltiorl;
FIGURE 3 is a top plarl view of the precirlct vote-courltirlg ~ devlce, with the houslrlg lid operl;
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F~IGURE 4 is a perspective view of the computer irl the precinct vote-courltirlg devlce, with the lirle prirlter thereir prirltirlg out data i~rl duplicate orl separable sheets of paper;
~: FIG~RE 5 lS arl elevatiorlal view of the frorlt arld back of a ~ : sample ballot card used with thè precirlct ba110t-courltirlg device;
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FIGURE 6 is a frorlt elevatiorlal view of an irlitializirlg prirltout irl the precir~ct ba1lot-cour~tir~g device;
:
lS ~ FIGURE 7 is a frorlt elevatiorlal view of a sample end card for the precirlct ballot-courltirlg device; and . . .
( . ~ ! 1 .
0~32~
FIGURE 8 is a frorlt elevatiorlal view of a sample corltrol card for the precirlct ballot-cour,tirlg device.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF' THE INVENTION
The irlverltiorl, as showrl irl FIGURES 1-8, arld as described hereirl, comprises arl apparatus for erlablirlg electrorlic computer-ized readirlg arld courltirlg of votes durirlg arl electiorl, at a plurality of remote electiorls precirlct statiorls, irl pollirlg places where votes are recorded by voters orl ballot cards without exposirlg the ballot cards to persorls other tharl the voter. The apparatus further erlables electrorlic computerized programmirig arld testirlg of the electiorl a~t large, controllirlg of the irltroductior of the electiorl irlto irldividual precirlct formats, readirlg, :assresatirlg, arld tallyirlg of the stored precirlct vote courlts after the electiorl, arld delivery of the results of the electior at a cerltral electiorl departmerlt statiorl.
The apparatus irlcludes a plurality~of precirlct workstatiorls, as 10, each adapted to be located at~precirlct pollirlg places remote from the central electiorls departmerlt office, arld to ~ receive ballot cards, as 12, on which voters have recorded their : ~ votes, as by markirlg irl a white~box opposite~the voter's selectiorl for each office arld/or issue~beirlg voted orl irl the: :
electiorl, as shown irl FIGURES 1-5. It lS further adapted to read~
the recorded votes from the ballot cards, as 10, arld to tally each vote with the selected carldidate a-ld/or lssue positiorl, regardless of the orierltatio-l of the ballot card upon insertior irlto the statiorl, as 10. It is still further adapted to courlt the votes arld store such courlt thereirl.
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~:aos~s Th~ apparatus further ir~cludes a district workstatiorl (r~ot showrl), located at the cerltral electiorls departmerlt district office, adapted to program arld test the electiorl at large, to eorltrol the irltroductiorl of the eleetiorl irlto ir~dividual preeirlet programs for corlductirlg the electiorl at each precirlct, to read, aggregate, arld tally the stored vote courlts from each preeirlet workstatiorl, after completiorl of the eleetiorl, arld to deliver the results of the electiorl for each offiee arld/or issue beirlg voted orl .
`
;~ 10 Eaeh preeirlct workstatiorl, as 10, irleludes a housirlg 14, irleludirlg arl operlable lid 16. Lid 16 ir~eludes a wirldow 18, for viewirlg a display sereerl therethrough, a slot 20, through whieh a ballot eard, as 12, is irlserted, arld a label 22, whieh may be applied thereto to iderltify the partieular preeirlet pollirlg plaee where statiorl 10 is to be loeated, as showrl in FIGURE 1 .
Further, eaeh statiorl 10 is adapted to be eorlrleeted to a ballot box, as 24, by eorlrleetors, as 26, arld sealed to ballot box 24, as by seal 28, as showrl in FIGURES 1 arld 2. Ballot box 24 irleludes a ballot eard reeeivirlg slot (rlot showrr).
Corltair~ed irl eaeh housirlg, as 14, are a ballot card reader 30, a programmable statiorl computer 32, a power switch 34, arld a eoslrleetitlg eable 36, as showrl irl FIGURE 3.
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Reader 30 irlcludes slots, as 38 at orle erld, at both erlds thereof, with a corltirluous charlrlel therethrough from orle slot the the other, through which slots arld charlrlel each ballot card, as 12, travels. Slot 38 is adapted to be aligrled with slot 20 irl lid 16 of housir~g 14 uporl closirlg lid 16 irl housirlg 14. The slot at the opposite erld of reader 30 is adapted to be aligrled with the slot irl ballot box 24.
Reader 30 is adapted to read ballot card 12 irl arly orierltatiorl irl which such card 12 may be irlserted thereirl by the voter, face up with the prirltirlg right side up or upside dowrl, or back side up with the prirltirlg r1ght side up or upside dowrl.
Reader 30 irlcludes arl irlterrlal computer thereby, adapted to take data read thereirl arld set up such data irl serial fashiorl to be trarlsmitted to statiorl computer 32. There are two readirlg heads irl reader 30, each adapted to optically scarr orle side of card 12 to serlse the marks recorded thereon by the voter. Such heads are further adapted to read the frorlt and back of card 12 simultaTIeously~ as card 12 moves through reader 30, readirlg all of the frorlt arld all of the back irl or~e movemerlt of the card.
Reader 30 further irlcludes two sets of rollers (rlot showrl), the first set precedirlg the read statiorl, to pick up card 12, the secor~d set at the erld of card 12 to propel card 12 out of the reader arld assure that it passes through the adjacerlt slot irl, arld irlto, ballot box 24. A motor drives all of the rollers ir , , ::.
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syrlchrorlizatior" to preverlt jam-up of the cacds. Readee 30 will rlot read or move a card 12 urltil statio!l computer 32 irldicates that it i5 ready to receive further data therefrom, such that if a~ attempt is made to stuff a secorld card 12 irlto reader 30 before the statiorl computer has completed courltirlg the first card 12, reader 30 will rlot rurl, arld will rlot accept the secorld card.
Ballot card 12 irlc1udes trackirlg marks, as 40, orl both frorlt arld back leadirlg edges thereof. These marks 40 are read by reader 30, arld the irlterrla1 computer thereirl interprets such ~l0 markirlgs atld the locatiorl thereof irl the stream of data read by the readirlg heads irl reader 30 to determirle the orierltatiorl of the card. Such irlterrlal computer in reader 30 therl urlscrambles arld rearrarlges the data, to be therl fed to statiorl computer 32 for use ir~ courltirlg the votes.
Contro1 cards, as 42 irl FIGURE 7, comprisirlg arl "erld"
furlctiorl card, and 44 irl FIGURE 8, COrQpriSirlg arl "irlitializirlg"
; furlctiori~card, are lrlserted irlto reader 30 at the appropriate pOitltS irl time with respect to the electi~r~. Such corltro1 cards erlable corltrol of the electiorl thereby, arld form part of arl audit of the corlduct o~the e1ectiorl, if required.
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Statiorl computer 3~ irlc1udes a cartridge receivirlg portiorl 46~ a display screerl 48, a lirle prirlter 50, arld a keyboard 52 as showrl irl FIGURES 3-4. Cartridge-receivirlg portiorl 46 is adapted ' :`
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to receive arl EPROM cartridge, programmed by arl EYROM programmer urlder the corltrol o~ the host cerltral statiorl computer. The host cerltral statiorl computer is programmed with the data for each separate precirlct electiorl; ar~d it corltrols the programmirlg of the irldividual EPROM cartridges through the EPROM programmer.
Each EPROM cartridge is programmed with the specific data, irlcludirlg iderltificatiorl of carldidates arld issues, rlecessary for corlductirlg the specific electiorl at each pollirlg place irl the electiorls district comprisirlg a sequer:ce of irlstructiorls regardirlg the specific electiorl takir~g place at a particular poll1rlg place, irlcludirlg two modes of irlstructioris, a supervisory mode for erlablirlg a supervisor to rurl tests, set up the device for courltirlg, trarlsmit data, obtairl audit irlformatiorl, charlge the dates arld times, or the like, arld a coutlti~lg mode for er~ablirlg courltirlg of the votes, for each office Ot issue beirlg voted orl ir~
the electiorl. Display screw 48 is adapted corlverltiorlalyy to display alpharlumeric irlformatiorl relatirlg to various electiorls furlctiorls. The display thereorl may be viewed, with lid 16 closed orl housirlg 14, through wirldow 18 irl lld 16.
:
Lirle pri-lter 50 is adapted to prirlt e1ectiorl-related irlformatiorl pri~lted thereorl irl dupllcate orl prirltout paper comprised of a roll of two sheets 54 arld 56, orle over1yir~g the other, with lid 16 of housirlg 14 operl. The overlyirlg sheet 54 is adapted to be separable upon completiotl of individual electiorl-related functiorls. The urlderlyitlg sheet 56 is adapted , . ~ , ~L2,80a~5 to be a corltirluous sheet orl which irlformatiorl regardirlg all electiorl-related furlctiorls is retair~ed as arl audit record.
Irlformatior~ irl the supervisory mode of operatiorl of precirlct workstatiorl lO, prirlted irl duplicate orl sheets 54 arld 56 may, for example, be as showrl irl FIGURE 6. Keyboard 46 is adapted to erlable erltry of data therethrough irl the corlverltiorlal marlrler.
Power switch 34 is adapted to turrl "on" arld "off" ar~ irlterrlal d-c battery which provides power to the workstatiorl lO. Such battery further erlables the precirlct workstatiorl to operate ever if the precirlct pollirlg place loses a-c power. A morlitor irl housirlg 14 morlitors the corlditiorl of the power source to indicate whether it is critically low.
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Corlrlectirlg cable 36 is adapted to be plugged irlto the host cerltral statiorl computer to e~lable trarlsmission of data thereto for aggregatin~ the totals irl all precirlct statiorls lO to deliver the results of the electiorl. It may comprise a cable krlowrl as ar "RS 232n plug. Data from precirlct statior~s lO may be trarlsmitted directly from the remote precis-ct statiorl back to the host cerltral statiorl alterrlatively by arl accoustical modem, erlablirlg trarlsmissiorl of data over rlorma1 telephone lirles, or a modular modem corlrlectable to a modular telephorle jack where available.
The eleme~lts irl precirlct workstatior~ lO, specifically reader 30, statiorl computer 32, arld the power source, are all modular, i.e. desigr~ed ir~ such a way that if orle stops workirlg, it is )82S
easily arld rapidly replaceable with a rlew module, erlablirlg the electiorl to corltirlue. Further, workstatiorl 10 is lightweight arld relatively compact, erlablirlg it to be readily trarlsported betweer the cerltral arld precirlct locatiorls.
s The district workstatiorl at the cerltral electiorls departmerlt district office comprises a host programmable computer, which performs a rlumber of furlctiorls urlder the directiorl of supervisory electiorls persorlrlel. The host computer, based orl electiorls programming thereof, gerlerates ballots irl facsimile format for each~irldivldual precirlct electiorl. Such data is therl fed out of the host to supervisory people to provide them with supportirlg irlformatiorl regardirlg what is supposed to be ir~ each precirlct workstatior~. ~he host computer further tests the electiorl as a whole, therl introduces such data irlto the EPROM format, corltrollirlg the pro~rammirlg of each precirlct EPROM cartridge.
The EPROM cartri;dge~is therl irlserted ir~ receivir~g portior- 40 of ; each precirlct workstatiorl computer 32, whereupon the electior~ is retested;at the precirlct level.
To set up the apparatus for ose ir- arl electior-, the host ~; 20 ~ cerltral statior~ computer is programrned~for the offices ar~d/or issues be~irlg voted orl irl each precir~ct. The host computer is ::: :
ther~ used, prior to electior~ day, to program arld test the electlor~ at large, and control the irltroductlorl of tbe electior ir-to irldividual precirlct formats programmed irl irldividual ; ~
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~280a;~5 precirlct EPROM cartridges, adapted for use irl each precirlct workstatiorl 10, with the offices arld/or issues beirlg voted orl ir each such precirlct. Each EPROM cartridge is therl placed irl a precirlct workstatiorl 10, each such device beirlg corlrlected arld sealed to a ballot box 24. Each precirlct workstatiorl 10 arld corlrlected ballot box 24 is therl trarlsported to the precirlct pollirlg place.
Orl electiorl day, each precirlct workstatiorl 10 is irlitialized, ballot cards 12 are irlserted thereirl by voters after recordirlg lo their votes orl such cards, arld the card 24 are read irlterrlally ir : the device by card reader 30 arld the votes for each office arld/or issue are courlted arld stored irl statiorl computer 32, arld the ballot cards 24 are stored irl the sealed ballot box 24. Wherl the electiorl is over, the precirlct workstatiorl 10 is shut dowrl, arld 15~ therl trarlsported:back to the cerltral statiorl, where the stored vote courlts are read arld tallied, arld the results of the electiorls are delivered by the cerltral statiorl computer for each office arld/or issue voted uporl.
~he above features of the device erlable readirlg, courltir~g, arld storirlg of votes recorded by voters orl bal}ot cards at a precinct pollirlg place, arld storirlg of the ballot cards on which such votes are recorded, irl a secret, secure, efficierlt ar~d effective marlrler, without opporturlity for disclosure thereof or tamperirlg therewith. Such features further provide programmirlg, ~ ~ .
r~ i ( ~'~80~
testirlg, formatirlg of the electiorl, arld readirlg arld tallyirlg of the stored vote courlts at a cerltral statiorl, arld deliverirlg the results of the electiorl irl a secure, efficierlt, arld effective marlrler .
Preferred embodimerlts of the irlverltiorl have beerl set forth above, for the purpose of explairlirlg the irlverltiorl. However, it is to be urlderstood that variatiorls may be made irl such : embodimerlts, which variatiorls are rlevertheless wihirl the scope arid spirit of the irlverltiorl, as set forth irl the claims hereirl.
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Claims (30)
1. An apparatus for enabling electronic computerized reading and counting of votes recorded by voters on ballot cards during an election in at least one polling place remote from a central station, and storing of such vote counts, and for enabling electronic computerized programming and testing of the election at large, controlling of the introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, reading, aggregating, and tallying of such vote counts, and delivery of the results of the election at the central station, comprising:
(a) means for enabling electronic computerized reading and counting of the votes recorded by voters on the ballot cards during the election in at least one of the plurality of polling places remote from the central station, and for storing the vote counts, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, adapted to be connected to a ballot box such that, the ballot cards are stored in the ballot box, after counting and storing of the votes recorded thereon in the vote counting enabling means without being exposed to any person; and (b) means for enabling electronic computerized programming and testing of the election at large, controlling of the introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, reading, aggregating, and tallying of such vote counts stored in the vote counting enabling means, and delivery of the results of the election, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, at the central station.
(a) means for enabling electronic computerized reading and counting of the votes recorded by voters on the ballot cards during the election in at least one of the plurality of polling places remote from the central station, and for storing the vote counts, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, adapted to be connected to a ballot box such that, the ballot cards are stored in the ballot box, after counting and storing of the votes recorded thereon in the vote counting enabling means without being exposed to any person; and (b) means for enabling electronic computerized programming and testing of the election at large, controlling of the introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, reading, aggregating, and tallying of such vote counts stored in the vote counting enabling means, and delivery of the results of the election, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, at the central station.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the vote counting enabling means comprise means for reading the votes recorded or the ballot cards and generating vote counting data responsive thereto, means for accepting the vote counting data generated by the reading means, applying prescribed vote-counting processes to such data, and storing the results of such vote-counting pro-cesses, a power source for providing power for operation of the card reading means and vote-count accepting means, and a housing in which the reading means, vote-count accepting means, and power source are mounted.
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3. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the vote reading enabling means comprise means for accepting the counted vote data stored in the vote counting enabling means, applying prescribed vote-result delivery processes to such data, and generating an output comprising the delivery of the results of the application of such prescribed vote-result delivery processes.
4. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means for providing a sequence of instructions to the vote counting enabling means regarding the specific election taking place at the particular polling place.
5. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising cards processible through the vote counting enabling means for enabling control of the operation thereof and audit of the conduct of the election at such polling place.
6. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means for enabling transmission of the stored vote counts from the vote counting enabling means to the vote count reading enabling means.
7. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means for enabling high-speed reading of the votes recorded on the ballot cards, at the central station, for generating vote counting data responsive thereto, adapted to be connected to the vote count reading enabling means for reading the vote counting data and delivering the results of the election at the central station.
8. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the ballot box to which the vote counting enabling means are adapted to be connected is adapted to be sealed prior to connection of the vote counting enabling means thereto.
9. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means for enabling connection of the vote counting enabling means to the ballot box.
10. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the ballot box includes a slot therein adapted to enable the ballot card to pass therethrough into the ballot box, and in which the vote counting means include aligned slots, adapted to enable the ballot card to be inserted therein and pass therethrough, and further adapted to be aligned with the ballot card slot in the ballot box for enabling the ballot card to pass therethrough.
11. An apparatus as in claim 2, in which the vote reading means includes means for accepting and positioning the ballot card so as to enable reading thereof, means for sensing the votes on each ballot card and generating vote count data responsive thereto, means for accepting, processing and delivering to the vote counting enabling means, the vote count data generated by the sensing means, and means for moving the ballot card through the vote reading means and into the ballot box after reading thereof.
12. An apparatus as in claim 2, in which the power source further comprises a switch for enabling the power source to be switched "on" and "off", and means for monitoring the power-generating capability of the power source.
13. An apparatus as in claim 2, in which the vote accepting, processing and storing means includes a display, and the housing includes a lid which includes a window therein through which the display may be seen when the lid is closed.
14. An apparatus as in claim 2, in which each ballot card includes tracking marks on both sides of the card at one end thereof, adapted to be read by the vote reading means to determine the orientation of the ballot card for enabling proper processing of the vote count from each such ballot card.
15. An apparatus as in claim 3, in which counted vote accepting, processing, and output generating means comprise a programmable computer.
16. An apparatus as in claim 4, in which the vote accepting, processing, and storing means comprise a programmable computer, including means for enabling reading and storing of the sequence of instructions from the instructions providing means into the computer, and a line printer for printing election-related information on paper responsive to instructions from the computer program.
17. An apparatus as in claim 16, in which the instructions providing means comprise an EPROM cartridge, on which is programmed a sequence of instructions regarding the specific election taking place at a particular polling place, including two modes of instructions, a supervisory mode for enabling a supervisor to run tests, set up the device for counting, transmit data, obtain audit information, change the dates and times, or the like, and a counting mode for enabling counting of the votes, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, and means for programming the sequence of instructions on the EPROM
cartridge.
cartridge.
18. A device for enabling electronic computerized reading and counting of votes recorded by voters on ballot cards during an election in at least one polling place remote from a central station, and storing of such vote counts, comprising means for enabling electronic computerized counting of the votes recorded by voters on the ballot cards during the election in at least one of the plurality of polling places remote from the central station, and for storing the vote counts, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, adapted to be connected to a ballot box such that, the ballot cards are stored in the ballot box, after counting and storing of the votes recorded thereon in the vote counting enabling means.
19. An apparatus as in claim 18, in which the vote counting enabling means comprise means for reading the votes recorded or the ballot cards and generating vote counting data responsive thereto, means for accepting the vote counting data generated by the reading means, applying prescribed vote-counting processes to such data, and storing the results of such vote-counting pro-cesses, a power source for providing power for operation of the card reading means and vote-count accepting means, and a housing in which the reading means, vote-count accepting means, and power source are mounted.
20. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising means for providing a sequence of instructions to the vote counting enabling means regarding the specific election taking place at the particular polling place.
21. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising cards processible through the vote counting enabling means for enabling control of the operation thereof and audit of the conduct of the election at such polling place.
22. An apparatus as in claim 18, in which the ballot box to which the vote counting enabling means are adapted to be connected is adapted to be sealed prior to connection of the vote counting enabling means thereto.
23 23. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising means for enabling connection of the vote counting enabling means to the ballot box.
24. An apparatus as in claim 18, in which the ballot box includes a slot therein adapted to enable the ballot card to pass therethrough into the ballot box, and in which the vote counting means include aligned slots, adapted to enable the ballot card to be inserted therein and pass therethrough, and further adapted to be aligned with the ballot card slot in the ballot box for enabling the ballot card to pass therethrough.
25. An apparatus as in claim 19, in which the vote reading means includes means for accepting and positioning the ballot card so as to enable reading thereof, means for sensing the votes on each ballot card and generating vote count data responsive thereto, means for accepting, processing, and delivering to the vote counting enabling means, the vote count data generated by the sensing means, and means for moving the ballot card through the vote reading means and into the ballot box after reading thereof.
26. An apparatus as in claim 19, in which the power source further comprises a switch for enabling the power source to be switched "on" and "off", and means for monitoring the power-generating capability of the power source.
27. An apparatus as in claim 19, in which the vote accept-ing, processing and storing means includes a display, and the housing includes a lid which includes a window therein through which the display may be seen when the lid is closed.
28. An apparatus as in claim 19, in which each ballot card includes tracking marks on both sides of the card at one end thereof, adapted to be read by the vote reading means to determine the orientation of the ballot card for enabling proper processing of the vote count from each such ballot card.
29. An apparatus as in claim 20, in which the vote accept-ing, processing, and storing means comprise a programmable computer, including means for enabling reading and storing of the sequence of instructions from the instructions providing means into the computer, and a line printer for printing election-related information on paper responsive to instructions from the computer program.
30. An apparatus as in claim 29, in which the instructions providing means comprise an EPROM cartridge, on which is programmed a sequence of instructions regarding the specific election taking place at a particular polling place, including two modes of instructions, a supervisory mode for enabling a supervisor to run tests, set up the device for counting, transmit data, obtain audit information, change the dates and times, or the like, and a counting mode for enabling counting of the votes, for each office or issue being voted on in the election, and means for programming the sequence of instructions on the EPROM
cartridge.
cartridge.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/855,758 US4774665A (en) | 1986-04-24 | 1986-04-24 | Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatus |
| US855,758 | 1986-04-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1280825C true CA1280825C (en) | 1991-02-26 |
Family
ID=25321993
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000535538A Expired - Lifetime CA1280825C (en) | 1986-04-24 | 1987-04-24 | Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4774665A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1280825C (en) |
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| US5400248A (en) * | 1993-09-15 | 1995-03-21 | John D. Chisholm | Computer network based conditional voting system |
| US5875432A (en) * | 1994-08-05 | 1999-02-23 | Sehr; Richard Peter | Computerized voting information system having predefined content and voting templates |
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| CA2157739A1 (en) * | 1995-06-13 | 1996-12-14 | Gregory R. Chumbley | Data collection device |
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| US7314172B2 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2008-01-01 | Automark Technical Systems, Llc | Ballot marking system and apparatus having periodic ballot alignment compensation |
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| US7387244B2 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2008-06-17 | Election Systems & Software, Inc. | Electronic voting system and method with voter verifiable real-time audit log |
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| US20070106552A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-05-10 | Matos Jeffrey A | Government systems in which individuals vote directly and in which representatives are partially or completely replaced |
| EP2106604A4 (en) * | 2007-01-04 | 2011-08-31 | Victor Piorun | Improved voting apparatus and system |
| US8413880B2 (en) * | 2008-03-06 | 2013-04-09 | Precise Voting Llc | Voting apparatus with secure ballot box assembly |
| US8038053B2 (en) * | 2008-03-06 | 2011-10-18 | Precise Voting Llc | Voting apparatus with secure ballot box assembly |
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| FR3022384B1 (en) * | 2014-06-16 | 2016-11-04 | 2Blokes | AUTOMATIC CUTTING URN USING BULLETINS WITH BAR CODES IN THEIR STACKABLE WINDOW ENVELOPE WITH REMOVABLE INTERNAL HOUSING AND ANTI-FRAUD SYSTEMS |
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| US3944788A (en) * | 1975-01-27 | 1976-03-16 | Compuvote Corporation | Vote-recording apparatus |
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| US4227643A (en) * | 1978-10-30 | 1980-10-14 | R. F. Shouptronics Corp. | Electronic voting machine |
| US4300123A (en) * | 1979-01-02 | 1981-11-10 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Optical reading system |
| US4357596A (en) * | 1980-05-30 | 1982-11-02 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Multi-line scan mark verification circuit |
| US4641241A (en) * | 1984-05-08 | 1987-02-03 | R. F. Shoup Corporation | Memory cartridge for electronic voting system |
| US4641240A (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1987-02-03 | R. F. Shoup Corporation | Electronic voting machine and system |
-
1986
- 1986-04-24 US US06/855,758 patent/US4774665A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-04-24 CA CA000535538A patent/CA1280825C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4774665A (en) | 1988-09-27 |
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