|
AVANTE pioneered and patented the use of a document imaging method for both the ballot scanning process and the electronic audit of the ballots. We use pixel-based quantitative measurements to decipher the marked ballots with unparalleled accuracy. This state-of-the-art paper balloting technology was developed by AVANTE for both central and precinct count applications.
Traditional marksense paper ballot tabulation systems suffer from poor accuracy and the ability to provide for ballot integrity throughout the overall process. Ballots can be tampered with after they have been scanned. Additional ballots can be added (stuffing the ballot box) or ballots can be discarded or replaced. Ballots can be resubmitted for scanning multiple times resulting in inaccurate results. Document imaging of ballots while they are being scanned is akin to taking a picture of the ballots. Imaging provides the needed security when using paper balloting systems.
Quantitative pixel measurements of the marked ovals provides much more flexible evaluation of voters' intent. Storing the actual pixel measurements of each mark allows easier investigation of lighter marking and erasure smeared ovals without having to rescan each ballot. By using pictures retained in storage rather than the original paper ballots, election administrators can preserve the original paper ballots for final, open, public recounting or handling of any other disputes.
PIXEL-BASED OPTICAL MARK-SENSE PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS reduce both voters' and system errors by presenting a true ballot image display and verification of the display resulting in unequalled accuracy analyzing voters' intent. The OPTICAL VOTE-TRAKKER® system counts ballots efficiently and accurately. When using the VOTE-TRAKKER® Election Management Software (EMS), thousands of ballot styles can be generated for any election. There are several options for printing ballots: full ballot presentation, an abbreviated version, or a list of numbers (similar to the familiar punch card layout). With the EMS, paper ballots can be printed on demand whenever they are needed (EX: emergency or absentee ballots) using any laser printer on 20 pound paper (or other special paper as required by law). The EMS also has an option to create paper ballots with barcodes containing randomly generated unique ballot identifiers. This is in addition to the markings on the ballot that distinguishes the ballot types (or styles) and page numbers.
Using AVANTE's Precint-based OPTICAL VOTE-TRAKKER® ballot tabulation system is simple. Voters simply fill in the ovals on their ballots and insert their ballots into the ballot scanner. As the ballot is scanned, a picture of the ballot is taken so that each vote can be reviewed and verified on-screen confirming how it will be counted. This feature is a dramatic improvement over existing precinct-based optical scan solutons that can only alert the voters if they have any over-voted or under-voted contests but not how their ballots are being recorded.
AVANTE's OPTICAL-VOTE-TRAKKER® features:
- The first optical scan solution to achieve less than 1 error in 1.5 million marks and was certified to the FEC 2002 Voting System Standards.
- This is achieved through patented quantitative pixel counting mark technology that differentiates slightly lighter marks and slightly smeared marks.
- By using patented dimensional scaling and fiducial marking, the system recognizes natural paper expansion and shrinkage due to moisture, mechanical folding, and wrinkles.
The first optical scan solution to capture digital ballot picture images during scanning to provide electronic audits of the paper ballot counting process.
- The capturing of picture images during scanning is like taking a video of the actual ballots that have been submitted for counting. Other than precinct count applications, the system scrambles the picture image order to provide voter privacy.
- There should be complete detailed chain-of-custody management of the ballot opening and handling process before they are submitted for scanning. For checks and balance, a video recording of the complete process under public view would minimize any possible challenge to the election process.
- The only optical scan solution that uses “write-once-read-many” (WORM) CD-Rs or DVDs as its transfer and storage media eliminating doubts over data corruption. The same WORM type CD-R is used for loading ballot templates.
- The only optical scan solution that includes optional use of patented randomly generated paper ballot identifiers used to eliminate forged ballots and double counting.
- A unique randomly generated paper ballot identifier is generated and printed on the paper ballot in the form of machine-readable barcode.
- The identifier is not tied to the voter registration system or any particular voter.
- The unique randomly generated number prevents any forged ballots.
- The unique ballot identifier automatically prevents any double counting.
- The first to provide automatic rank-choice voting to facilitate instant run-off election. Paper ballots and electronic ballots are generated at the same time within the same EMS (Election Management System) that allows voters to rank all candidates in accordance to their preference. The software automatically performs the "run-off" instantly as part of the tabulation of votes.
- The first integrated verifiable and auditable election systems to provide end-to-end auditability with unparalleled counting accuracy. Election integrity is enhanced from ballot generation, printing, delivery, counting, imaging, audit logs, data protection with hashing using randomly generated ballot identifier, write-once-read-many (WORM) data transfer media and encryption during transmission.
|