WO2002082255A1

WO2002082255A1 - A voting system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2002082255A1
Application number: PCT/IL2002/000332
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Ostroff
Original assignee: Maurice Ostroff
Priority date: 2001-04-09
Filing date: 2002-04-08
Publication date: 2002-10-17
Also published as: ZA200408999B

Abstract

The invention relates to having separate voting receptacles or ballot boxes for each candidate disposed in a voting area. Voters insert voting tokens having the same mass, into the voting receptacle associated with the candidate of their choice. To count the inserted tokens for each candidate, these are weighed, thereby requiring no sorting or examination of each voting paper, as is generally current practice. According to other embodiments, tokens are counted as these are inserted with an appropriate counting device. Furthermore, voters are restricted to inserting only the requisite tokens by a token sensing element and closure element, which are in operative association with the voting receptacle and the aperture thereof. In addition, the token sensing element provides an output signal whereby inserted tokens are counted. Also, an authorized official or utilizing an entry-sensing device at the entrance into the voting area, provides an output signal therefrom, for opening of aperture closures. This also facilitates voter control as well as a reconciliation of voters and tokens inserted into the voting receptacles to validate the vote count.

Description

A VOTING SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

^ The present invention relates, generally to a voting system and method and, more specifically, to provide thereby reliable voting results in elections and other polls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to provide a voting system to provide results of varying degrees of reliability and accuracy. The furor associated with the 2001 United States presidential election points to an urgent need for a voting system, which avoids the need for scrutinizing each ballot form to determine the voter's intention. It is further necessary to deliver unambiguous results promptly and accurately and in which ballot papers are not subject to accidental or intentional mutilation during handling.

Many types of voting machines have been proposed and used in the past, with varying degrees of success and acceptance. Lever type voting machines have been used extensively, usually based on multiple horizontal or vertical rows of selector levers interconnected by cranks and other mechanisms. The number of votes cast for a candidate or issue is registered on a counter. Such lever type machines, however, generally require complex procedures for preparing the machine for voting and suffer not only from the disadvantage of large size and mass, but large bulk requiring a great deal of storage space.

More recently electronic voting systems have been proposed and used in place of purely mechanical machines. These are generally lower in initial cost, maintenance, and operation. One such system has been developed and is in current use. Voters are given a card on which small punched holes are made in order to register a vote. The cards are taken by an election official and placed in a computer reader which reads the cards and records the results. In another voting system, a voter marks a substantially standard type of paper ballot, and the ballot is electronically read. Neither system has proven to be entirely satisfactory. Consequently, paper ballots forms have been reintroduced Paper ballot forms are subject to intentional or accidental mutilation, alteration or destruction.

Further, as highlighted by the recent United States presidential elections, there is a serious disadvantage of some existing systems. The accuracy of reading a ballot paper depends on voters physically casting their votes in a particular manner so as to be compatible with electronic readers. Furthermore, vote counting personnel are required to evaluate the intention of voters in borderline cases, where ballot papers are improperly completed.

One proposed voting system simply converts or adds electrical switches to a voting keyboard connected to a computer terminal, but systems of this type are costly in that a computer terminal is needed for each keyboard.

Referring now to JP 19980002109 entitled ELECTION TERMINAL EQUIPMENT WITH BALLOT BOX, to Miyagawa Takayoshi, there is designed an improvement in the efficiency of voting and totalization work by automating the voting action and totalization work of election. There is included extraction of a token stored in a ballot box at the end of voting so as to execute retotalization when a totalization accident occurs or a claim retotalization when a totalization accident or a claim for a voted result occurs and to reinforce security.

A voting terminal and an attached ballot box are detachably constituted and an election terminal utilization token recording the contents of votes is housed in the attached box to prevent the token from being taken out from a polling place. Since the token recording the contents of votes is housed in the ballot box and security is reinforced, a door is closed so as not to be opened at the time of using it in a separated state from the terminal and the counting of votes is allowed only by unlocking the box by an election administrator by using a key.

Referring now to JP8016862A2 entitled ELECTION VOTING DEVICE to Miura Yoshiyuki, there is intended to provide a simple user interface to an elector by means of electronically executing the voting action of the elector through the use of a token instead of voting paper. In addition, there is provided index data where the elector is made to correspond to the voting content independent of a voting data file and to realize examination/elimination functions for temporary voting at the time of counting votes by indirectly giving voting information of the elector.

At the time of reading the token elector information is obtained from the content. When voting information following the operation of the elector is stored in the voting data file, stored destination information to the voting data file is obtained and obtained elector information and stored destination information are stored in an index data file as index data of voting data.

Referring now to US4142095 entitled VOTING SYSTEM to Cason, et al, this discloses an electronic voting system in which a voter manually enters votes on a voting board by means of sliding indicators. The board is then momentarily placed in a separate and discrete vote processor which optically reads instances when an indicator has been moved, and after verification of legal selections, registers the votes cast.

Referring further to US3904854 entitled AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL VOTING MACHINE WITH ELECTRONIC READOUT to Smith, Jr.; Earl H.,

Levittown, PA there is disclosed a switch added to each spindle of a conventional mechanical voting machine where the spindle is rotated or otherwise actuated by a voter when casting a vote for a particular office. The switch is normally open and is closed by the movement of the spindle from a "no vote" position to a "vote" position. An electronic scanning device is connected to the switch of each spindle of the voting machine and electronically scans the condition of each switch of the voting machine when the vote is registered by the operation of the curtain handle by the voter. The electronically scanned output of each of the switches is then transmitted over telephone lines either instantaneously or after a given storage period which could last till the close of the polls, to centrally located computers at county, state, federal and news media locations. These computers keep a current running total of the vote in various categories and further provide print-out at the close of the polls.

Referring now to US5585612 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VOTING to Harp, Jr.; Roland J. relates to a voting machine which allows an illiterate, sight impaired or blind individual to cast a vote in privacy and without assistance from another party. The voting machine includes a ballot box having a plurality of voting mechanisms for allowing the individual to cast a vote. One voting mechanism is provided for each election candidate/each side of an election issue. The voting machine also includes an audio player that plays an audio presentation that guide the individual through the voting process by identifying each voting mechanism. A tactile and visual map may also be provided. The map cooperates with the audio presentation to orient the individual for voting.

Referring also to US3595472 entitled MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND RECORDING VOTES to Darling; Stanley N. relates to a voting apparatus for locally and remotely recording the results of voting. The vote is recorded locally by a machine having a plurality of selector tabs for operation by the voter, and a counting and recording device connected to. each tab by a mechanical linkage. All the local machines are connected to a remote tabulation center. The center comprises a number of counters equal to the number of tabs with the tabs of each machine indicating the same voting proposition connected to the same counter. A switching mechanism in each counter consecutively connects the vote recorded by the tabs with the counting and recording register in the counter. A plurality of voters operating to record their vote at the same instant of time will have their votes recorded as separate votes because of the consecutive connection rather than having them recorded as a single vote. Referring now to US3934793 entitled VOTING MACHINE to O'Neal;

Cothburn M. there is disclosed a compact, versatile voting machine having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball-housing blocks, which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam-controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge-controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are co-operable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent "X" when a key is voted.

There is a need in the art to overcome the aforesaid and other disadvantages of existing and proposed voting systems and machines. There is also a need to provide a voting system, which is user friendly and simple to use. It is necessary to provide accurate, unambiguous results, which are readily checked by an alternative method, minimizing risk of fraudulent or accidental damage or alteration of voting papers and eliminating the need to manually sort ballot papers. There is also a need to better enable voting by blind and illiterate persons. Furthermore, it is important to avoid the possibility of removal or addition of ballot forms by dishonest persons before, during or after the voting procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a system for voting in elections, polls and referendums, The system provides a number of alternatives to manual and other generally cumbersome methods of vote casting and vote counting. Furthermore, the system enables a ballot to be reconciled with the number of voters listed on a database such as a voter's roll, so that unauthorized voting is reduced if not eliminated.

The present invention relates to a voting system and method for application in an election or any other type of opinion poll. A plurality of voters cast ballots for one or more candidates from one or more candidates. The system includes a multiplicity of identical voting tokens having predetermined physical and dimensional characteristics and of substantially equal mass. Further, there are included a plurality of voting receptacles, disposed within a designated voting area, whose number corresponds to the number of candidates, each voting receptacle defining a discrete token receiving volume. Each voting receptacle further includes: a sensible identification indication associated with a specific candidate formed in predetermined proximity to the voting receptacle, and an aperture formed in the exterior surface, adapted to permit insertion therethrough of one or more voting tokens by a voter, thereby to permit an accumulation of voting tokens within the token receiving volume.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, each voting receptacle includes a token insertion sensor arranged in operative association with the aperture. The token insertion sensor is operative to provide a predetermined token insertion output signal upon insertion of each token through the aperture, thereby to provide an indication of the number of votes received by the candidate with whom the voting receptacle is associated.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the voting receptacles include therewithin at least one removable collection receptacle for collection of the tokens inserted through the aperture. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the sensible identification includes at least one indication selected from text, an image of the candidate, a predetermined symbol, a predetermined color, for the benefit of illiterate voters, or a shape designation identifiable by a visually impaired voter or Braille. According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the aperture includes a closure element disposed in operative association with each of the apertures, the closure elements having a normally closed position thereby to obstruct insertion into the aperture of one or more of the tokens. The closure element is further operative to open in response to an aperture-opening signal, thereby to permit insertion into the aperture of a predetermined number of tokens. According to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the designated voting area has one or more entrances thereto, the entrances having an entry- sensing device, thereby to generate an entry signal indicative of a voter entering the voting area. According to a variation of the fifth embodiment, the aperture-opening signal is one or more signals selected from the entry signal associated with a voter entering the voting area, manually activated by an authorized official, activated by a token dispensing device, and activated by a voter identification device.

According to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the closure elements are adapted, in response to the token insertion output signal, to obstruct the apertures substantially simultaneously in all of the voting receptacles, thereby to prevent insertion therethrough of tokens. According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the voting receptacles is formed of a transparent material, thereby to facilitate visual monitoring of the contents thereof.

According to a eighth embodiment of the present invention, the voting tokens having predetermined physical and dimensional characteristics are formed in a plurality of combination of colors or shapes thereby to provide statistical categorization of voters. Also, tokens are configured having a data recording element formed therein. In addition, the tokens include coins.

Furthermore, there is provided a method of voting including: applying a sensible identification designation to each of a predetermined plurality of voting receptacles whose number corresponds to the number of candidates, providing one or more voting tokens for use by each of a plurality of voters, the tokens having substantially the same mass, thereby to determine a vote count by weighing the inserted tokens, monitoring entry of each of a plurality of voters into a predetermined voting area, and noting insertion of each voting token into a voter-selected voting receptacle thereby to determine a vote count for each candidate.

The method step, according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, of allocating one or more voting tokens includes the step of allocating color-coded or shape coded tokens to predetermined categories of voters, thereby to facilitate statistical analysis of the plurality of voters. In addition, the step of allocating the voting tokens includes the step of manually issuing the tokens and the step of issuing tokens utilizing a dispensing device. Furthermore, the step of allocating voting tokens includes the step of issuing tokens in accordance with a voter identification device thereby to cause authentication of the voter and updating of a voter database. Another step of allocating voting tokens to each of a plurality of voters includes the step of providing multiple voting tokens to each of a plurality of voters in accordance with a predetermined electoral system.

Also, according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the step of inserting one or more tokens includes the step of generating predetermined token insertion output signals or actuating a mechanical counter associated with insertion by each of a plurality of voters.

According to a eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling entry of at least one of a plurality of voters includes the step of restricting entry by an unauthorized person..

According to an twelfth embodiment of the present invention, the step of noting insertion of each voting token includes the step of determining a vote count by one or more of: weighing the tokens accumulated in each voting receptacle, each token having substantially the same mass; electronically or mechanically counting the number of tokens inserted into each voting receptacle; manually or machine counting the number and categories of tokens inserted into each voting receptacle; and counting in response to a token insertion output signal generated by a token insertion sensor or by a mechanical actuator arranged in operative association with the aperture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and its features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the ensuing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a layout of a voting area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a ballot box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the method steps according to the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for voting, not only for political and organizational elections, but, also, for recording results of a variety of polls. The present invention provides for the entire elimination of the cumbersome process of sorting and then counting ballot papers with the associated risk of mutilation of papers, errors in counting and fraud. Furthermore, the present invention seeks to provide a simple and straightforward method of voting, understandable by substantially all voters, whereby the incidence of spoiled voting papers is eliminated as conventional ballot papers are not used. At every polling station, there is a separated voting area such as a room, a booth or a screened off area. The voting area is provided with a separate entrance and optionally a separate exit. Entry into the voting area is optionally indicated by a suitable entry-sensing device such as a light beam and photoelectric cell, giving either an electrical, an audio, or a visual entry signal to officials responsible for the functioning of the voting station. Other forms of entry control are also appropriate such as a turnstile generating an entry signal.

Voting tokens of a predetermined uniform mass are utilized in place of voting papers or cards. A predetermined number of voting tokens are issued to each voter, prior to entry into the voting area, to be inserted by the voter into an appropriate ballot box designated to the voter's chosen candidate. Should the voting procedure require the casting of multiple votes by each voter, the appropriate number of tokens is issued to each voter.

Generally, each voter is issued with one voting token. Personnel supervising the poll, issue tokens by hand, in accordance with voter identification against a registered voter list or database. Alternatively, there is provided a machine, for dispensing the predetermined number of tokens to each voter. The dispensing machine is equipped with a counting device, which maintains a record of tokens issued to prevent the unauthorized issuing of more than the predetermined number of tokens per voter. Actuation of the dispensing machine by means of a switch or lever is carried out by the voter or by an authorized supervising person. At any time during the voting process, the number of issued tokens is easily reconciled with the number of voters who have obtained authorized tokens.

At each voting station, a separate voting receptacle or ballot box is allocated to each candidate available for election. The name and other preselected designations for identifying each candidate are clearly marked on the appropriate ballot box. For the benefit of less literate or illiterate voters a photograph of each candidate, a symbol, distinct icon, sign, predetermined color or logo designates the candidate's identity. For the benefit of blind voters, ballot boxes are associated with respective candidates by a physical shape designation or by a Braille message. Each voting receptacle or ballot box has an aperture through which each voter inserts a predetermined number of voting tokens for one or more candidates of choice.

Within each voting receptacle or ballot box there is contained a removable lockable collection receptacle having a predetermined standard mass and marked with a designation appropriate to each candidate. Each collection receptacle receives tokens inserted through apertures in each corresponding ballot box. Voting receptacles may be formed having a portion formed of transparent material to facilitate observing the presence of unauthorized tokens prior to or after voting is completed. Each separate voting receptacle or ballot box includes an electrically operable closure element disposed in operable association with each aperture, and is maintained in a normally closed position to prevent insertion of unauthorized tokens. The closures for all separate voting receptacles or ballot boxes in the voting area are simultaneously operable to open in response to a single aperture opening signal. This signal is either provided by a supervising official, by a token dispensing device, by actuation of an identification device operable by, for example, an identity card, or, alternatively, by an entry signal associated with each authorized voter entering the voting area.

Further, each voting receptacle or ballot box aperture is equipped with a token insertion sensor thereby to generate a token insertion signal associated with insertion of one token into the aperture of any one of the plurality of separate voting receptacles. This insertion signal causes an audio or visual signal to indicate that voting by the current voter is complete. In addition, the insertion signal causes the closures to obstruct the apertures of all voting receptacles, in order to prevent the further insertion of tokens and, further, actuates a counter to count the number of tokes inserted. Apart from physically counting tokens in each receptacle, a count is determinable in a number of other ways. Weighing the collection receptacles allocated to each candidate to determine the mass of contained tokens is one such alternative. Further, the token insertion signal provides another means for counting votes cast for each candidate by causing the signal to activate a counting device specific to each candidate. Another alternative is utilizing a mechanical or electrical counting device associated with each ballot box aperture. These alternative counting procedures are mutually independent of the physical vote count and are reconcilable with the total number of tokens issued and with the number of voters recorded as having entered the voting area. Such reconciliations provide a means for validating the voting result.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, color- coded tokens or having different shapes are issued. Also, alternatively configured tokens have a data recording element formed therein thereby to record prerecorded data therefrom. By selectively issuing, for example, a variety of colored and shaped tokens to voters in accordance with predetermined categorization criteria, voting statistics relating to different categories of voters may be determined. Examples of categories are age groups, geographical residence, occupation, gender, etc. After the vote has been counted, tokens are sorted into color or shape categories and counted physically or by mass, thereby to statistically assess the relevant categories.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each voter is issued with a registration card containing an identification number. The dispensing machine is caused to read the card and to compare the identification number with voter records in a database. If the voter's record indicates that the voter is authorized to vote and that a token has not been previously issued to the voter in respect of the current election, a token is issued and the database record is updated accordingly. This ensures that not more than the predetermined number of tokens is issued to a voter in a current election. If the voter is entitled to vote at any one of several voting stations in a specific voting region, all regional stations are interconnected to a master database. Issuing of a token is registered in real time on the database, thereby to prevent a voter receiving additional tokens at other voting stations.

In the event of a close result between two or more candidates, collection receptacles are unlocked and the tokens physically counted by hand or machine.

Because tokens are already sorted with respect to the respective candidates, the lengthy and inaccurate processes of sorting ballot papers and attempting to determine the voter's intention are completely eliminated.

With reference to Figure 1 there is illustrated a typical layout of a voting area, generally referenced 10. For each candidate, a separate voting receptacle, referenced 7, is disposed within area 10. An entrance referenced 1 to area 10 has associated therewith an entry sensing device, namely a light beam generally referenced 4 directed by light beam emitter referenced 3 at a photoelectric cell referenced 5 thereby to generate an entry output signal. Voters enter through entrance 1 and leave by an exit referenced 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, each separate voting receptacle or ballot box 7, has an aperture referenced 13, formed therein for insertion of voting tokens into each voting receptacle or ballot box 7. Each voter inserts the prescribed number of voting tokens of identical known mass into aperture 13, each token falling into a removable collection receptacle referenced 15. While entrance beam 4 remains unbroken, a closure element referenced 11 , associated with each aperture 13, is maintained in a normally closed position. When a voter interrupts light beam 4 by entering voting area 10, closure elements 11 associated with apertures 13 of all the ballot boxes 7 are opened, permitting insertion of one token into a separate voting receptacle or ballot box 7 through aperture 13. Alternatively, aperture 13 is opened by manual actuation of closures 11 by an authorized official. As soon a token is inserted into any one of apertures 13, switch or mechanical actuator referenced 12 is activated and closure 11 in all receptacles 7 are again closed. Closures 11 remain closed until light beam 4 is again broken by entry of the next voter. Switch or mechanical actuator 12 simultaneously actuates a counter (not shown) that records the number of tokens inserted. In the event that tokens are configured having a data-recording element formed therein, thereby to provide data output or readable data, a suitable data receiving device (not shown) is installed in operative associate with aperture 13 thereby to read data stored in the token data recording element.

Referring now to Figure 3 there is seen a block diagram illustration of the method steps generally referenced 20 relating to the present invention including:

Step referenced 21 of applying a sensible identification designation to each of a predetermined plurality of voting receptacles whose number corresponds to the number of candidates;

Step referenced 22 of providing at least one voting token for use by each of a plurality of voters, the tokens having substantially the same mass;

Step referenced 23 of monitoring entry of each of a plurality of voters into a predetermined voting area; and Step referenced 24 of noting insertion of each voting token into a voter- selected voting receptacle thereby to determine a vote count for each candidate.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by the drawings and description hereinabove presented. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A voting system for application in an election by a plurality of voters casting votes for at least one candidate, said system including: a) a multiplicity of voting tokens each having substantially the same mass thereby to determine a count of said tokens by weight; and b) a plurality of voting receptacles, disposed within a designated voting area, whose number corresponds to the number of candidates, each said voting receptacle defining a discrete token receiving volume, each said voting receptacle further including: i) a sensible identification indication associated with a specific candidate formed in predetermined proximity to said voting receptacle, and ii) an aperture adapted to permit insertion therethrough of a prescribed number of voting tokens by a voter, thereby to permit an accumulation of voting tokens within said token receiving volume.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said voting receptacles include a token insertion sensor arranged in operative association with said aperture, operative to provide a predetermined token insertion output signal upon insertion of each token through said aperture, thereby to provide an indication of the number of votes received by the candidate with whom said voting receptacle is associated.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said voting receptacles includes therewithin at least one removable collection receptacle defining a discrete token receiving volume for collection of said tokens inserted through said aperture.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said sensible identification indication includes at least one indication selected from the group of indications which consists of: a) text; b) an image of the candidate; c) a predetermined symbol; d) a predetermined color; e) a color combination; f) a shape designation identifiable by a visually impaired voter; and g) Braille.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein each said aperture includes a closure element disposed in operative association with each of said apertures, said closure element having a normally closed position thereby to obstruct insertion into said aperture of said tokens, and further being operative to open in response to an aperture opening signal, thereby to permit insertion into said aperture of a predetermined number of said tokens.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said designated voting area has at least one entrance thereto, said entrance having an entry sensing device, thereby to generate an entry signal indicative of a voter entering said voting area.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein said aperture opening signal is at least one signal selected from the group of signals which consists of: a) said entry signal associated with a voter entering said voting area; b) manually activated by an authorized official; c) activated by a token dispensing device; and d) activated by a voter identification device.

8. A system according to claim 5 wherein said closure elements are adapted, in response to said token insertion output signal, to obstruct each said aperture substantially simultaneously in all of said voting receptacles, thereby to prevent insertion therethrough of said tokens.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said voting receptacle is formed of a transparent material, thereby to facilitate visual monitoring of the contents thereof.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said tokens are color-coded thereby to facilitate statistical categorization of voters.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said tokens are coins.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein said tokens are shape coded.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein said tokens are configured having a data recording element formed therein, thereby to provide data output.

14. A voting method including the steps of: a) applying a sensible identification designation to each of a predetermined plurality of voting receptacles whose number corresponds to the number of candidates; b) providing a predetermined number of voting tokens for use by each of a plurality of voters, the tokens having substantially the same mass; c) monitoring entry of each of a plurality of voters into a predetermined voting area; and d) noting insertion of each voting token into a voter-selected voting receptacle thereby to determine a vote count for each candidate.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of allocating at least one voting token includes the step of allocating color-coded tokens to predetermined categories of voters, thereby to facilitate statistical analysis of the plurality of voters.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of allocating at least one voting token includes the step of allocating shape-coded tokens to predetermined categories of voters, thereby to facilitate statistical analysis of the plurality of voters.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of allocating a predetermined number of tokens includes the step of manually issuing the tokens.

18. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of allocating a predetermined number of tokens includes the step of issuing tokens utilizing a dispensing device.

19. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of allocating at least one voting token includes the step of issuing tokens in accordance with a voter identification device thereby authenticating the identity of the voter and causing an updating of a voter database.

20. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of inserting a predetermined number of tokens includes the step of generating a predetermined token insertion output signal associated with insertion by at least one of a plurality of voters.

21. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of controlling entry of at least one of a plurality of voters includes the step of restricting entry by an unauthorized person.

22. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of allocating voting tokens to each of a plurality of voters includes the step of providing a predetermined number of tokens voting tokens to each of a plurality of voters in accordance with a predetermined electoral system.

23. The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of noting insertion of each voting token includes the step of determining a vote count by at least one step selected from the group of steps which consists of: a) weighing the tokens accumulated in each voting receptacle, each token having substantially the same mass; b) electronically counting the number of tokens inserted into each voting receptacle; c) mechanically counting the number of tokens inserted into each voting receptacle; d) manually counting the number of tokens inserted into each voting receptacle; and e) counting in response to a token insertion output signal generated by a token insertion sensor arranged in operative association with the aperture.