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Avante VOTE-TRAKKER Manual

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Avante International Technology, Inc.
VOTE-TRAKKER™ Election Official Manual
Part B
Sections 4 - 5
Version 4.4.3
Date: June 7, 2002
© 2001-2002 Avante International Technology, Inc.

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  • Page 1 Avante International Technology, Inc. VOTE-TRAKKER™ Election Official Manual Part B Sections 4 - 5 Version 4.4.3 Date: June 7, 2002 © 2001-2002 Avante International Technology, Inc.
  • Page 2 3.3.4 Make the selections if “Straight-Party-Line” voting is not allowed..Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.5 How to perform a “Write-In” on VOTE-TRAKKER™..Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.6 Checking choices and making changes before pressing “Cast Vote” Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3.7 Voting on Public Questions, Initiatives, and Propositions .....Error! Bookmark not...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    4.1.2 Prepare hardware components.................... 8 4.1.3 Test the VOTE-TRAKKER™....................9 4.2 O ....................20 OLL ON LECTION 4.2.1 Activate the VOTE-TRAKKER™ ..................25 4.2.2 Ballot and Logic Test ......................29 4.2.3 Tally Accuracy Test (Optional)..................31 4.3 C ..................33 HOICE OF INSTRUCTION LANGUAGE 4.3A ...........................
  • Page 4 Avante International Technology, Inc. 6.2.2 Manufacturer’s Recommended Security Procedures..Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.2.3 Machine Setting & Testing Functions........Error! Bookmark not defined. 6.3 C ........E ALIBRATION OF OUCH CREEN RROR OOKMARK NOT DEFINED 7. PRINTER INFORMATION......ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
  • Page 5 Avante International Technology, Inc. 9. INSTALLING THE PAPER ROLL ....ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 10. MAINTENANCE..........ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. Version 4.4.3...

  • Page 6: Election Official Operating Procedures

    Manual). You should have a ballot CD, floppy disk and flash memory card ready. Remove the top cover of the VOTE-TRAKKER™ so that you can gain access to the CD-RW drive, floppy drive and PCMCIA slot for flash memory. Insert the floppy disk and flash memory card into their correct locations prior to turning on the power.
  • Page 7 Plug the VOTE-TRAKKER™ into the power outlet via UPS. Press the Power On/Off switch button at the rear bottom of the VOTE-TRAKKER™ to turn on the system. This will turn on the computer and other hardware components. Once the computer is turned on, press the CD-RW door open-button, place the ballot CD into the CD-RW drive and close the door.

  • Page 8: Sections

    “Yes” button, press the screen to activate the calibration program. Details of the calibration program are described in section 6.3. If the touch screen is completely non- functional, contact Avante International Technology, Inc. for assistance. Upon completion of calibrating the touch-screen or aborting the touch-screen calibration process, Figure 4.1.1D will confirm that the computer has detected a ballot CD in the CD-RW drive:...
  • Page 9 Avante International Technology, Inc. The next screen, Figure 4.1.1E asks for the Polling Official username and password for loading ballot. Use exactly the same username and password as in the Manage Ballot Data Module. Both the username and the password are case-sensitive. After you enter the Polling Official, press on the “Password”...
  • Page 10 After the correct username and password are entered, Figure 4.1.1E the computer will verify that the VOTE-TRAKKER™’s serial number is included in the ballot CD. If the computer cannot find a matching number in the CD, the following screen, Figure 4.1.1H will appear to notify the election official: Figure 4.1.1H...
  • Page 11 Avante International Technology, Inc. If a matching number in the CD is found, then the screen in Figure 4.1.1I appears. Figure 4.1.1I Press on the “Yes” button to continue. The above screen is a reminder to back up the old database.
  • Page 12 Avante International Technology, Inc. The next screen allows you to set up the Database name, Login user name and Password for the new database, Figure 4.1.1 K. If you do not supply a password a warning screen appears but it will allow you to continue without a password.

  • Page 13: Prepare Hardware Components

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 4.1.2 Prepare hardware components After the ballot has been loaded the computer will automatically start to run the voting program based on the new database. Before entering the passwords in Figure 4.1.2A the election official should also know the answer to the following: •...

  • Page 14: Test The Vote-Trakker

    Press “Yes” to continue shut down. When you see the message “It is now safe to turn off the computer” on the screen, press the VOTE-TRAKKER™’s power on/off switch located at the rear of the machine to shut down. VOTE-TRAKKER™ is now ready for the election. Press “No” to return to Figure 4.1.3A.
  • Page 15 Avante International Technology, Inc. Enter the required number of polling officials’ names and passwords. The system default settings require two sets of polling officials’ names and passwords: Enter 11 in the polling official’s field and leave the password field blank, press “OK”. Enter 22 in the polling official’s field, and leave the password field blank, press “OK”.
  • Page 16 Avante International Technology, Inc. Once the required usernames and passwords are accepted, the following screen appears: Figure 4.1.3D Insert the Smart Card Reader test card. This card tests the functionality of the smart card reader. If the reader is performing properly, it will accept the card, read it, push it back out and Figure 4.1.3E appears.
  • Page 17 Avante International Technology, Inc. If everything is functioning, the Figure 4.1.3I message will appear, otherwise the Figure 4.1.3J message will appear. Again report any problems to the supervisor for repair. A sensor error will not stop the voting process. Press “OK” to continue.
  • Page 18 Avante International Technology, Inc. If the two counters are functioning properly, the VOTE-TRAKKER™ performs other internal tests for all other critical components. The test will include the hard drive, floppy disk, flash memory cards (if selected), CD-R disc (if selected) and printer. If any of the critical components are missing or nonfunctional, a screen similar to Figure 4.1.3M will appear to notify the election...
  • Page 19 Avante International Technology, Inc. When the VOTE-TRAKKER™ confirms that all the critical components are functional, it will print out a report detailing all the tests performed (see Figure 4.1.3O). Description of Test Report: Election Type: General Election Test Time: 2002-3-25 15:01:41...
  • Page 20 Avante International Technology, Inc. After printing out the report. Figure 4.1.3P will appear. Press the “Machine Setting & Testing” button. Press Figure 4.1.3P Press the “Date & Time” on the next screen, Figure 4.1.3Q. Press Figure 4.1.3Q Version 4.4.3...
  • Page 21 Avante International Technology, Inc. Check that the system’s date and time are correct. If not, adjust the date and time, Figure 4.1.3R. Adjust “Month” and “Year” from the drop-down list. Adjust “Date” by touching the correct date (25 Highlight the “hour” and use the up or down arrow to adjust.
  • Page 22 Avante International Technology, Inc. The screen, Figure 4.1.3 P will return. Press the “Begin Voting” button. Press Figure 4.1.3P The following screen Figure 4.1.3S will appear. Figure 4.1.3 S This screen means that the current database has not been activated for voting. The polling official on Election Day should activate this.
  • Page 23 Avante International Technology, Inc. Press the “Quit” button. Press Figure 4.1.3P The system will ask you to confirm your “Quit” command, Figure 4.1.3Q. Choose “Yes” to confirm. Press on the “No” button to return to Figure 4.1.3P. Figure 4.1.3Q Version 4.4.3...
  • Page 24 When you press “Yes” the machine will automatically begin to shut down. When the message “It is now safe to turn off your computer” shows up on the screen, press the VOTE-TRAKKER™’s power ON/Off button at the rear of the machine to shut down the whole system. Put the top cover back to the voting machine and close all the three latches so that the top cover is locked to the bottom cover.

  • Page 25: Open Poll On Election Day

    Press the Power On/Off switch button at the rear bottom of the VOTE-TRAKKER™ to turn on the system. This will turn on the computer and other hardware components. Wait until the system boots up and you see the following screen, Figure 4.2A.
  • Page 26 Avante International Technology, Inc. Enter the required number of polling officials’ names and passwords. The system default settings require two sets of polling officials’ names and passwords: Enter 11 in the polling official’s field and leave the password field blank, press “OK”. Enter 22 in the polling official’s field, and leave the password field blank, press “OK”.
  • Page 27 Avante International Technology, Inc. Once the required usernames and passwords are accepted, the following screen, Figure 4.2E appears. Figure 4.2E Insert the Smart Card Reader test card. This card tests the functionality of the smart card reader. If the reader is performing properly, it will accept the card, read it, push it back out and Figure 4.2F appears.
  • Page 28 Avante International Technology, Inc. The final test is for the counters. The counters are increased by one increment. Note the counts on both counters and press “OK”, Figure 4.2J. A visual check is made to see if both moved up one count.
  • Page 29 Avante International Technology, Inc. When the VOTE-TRAKKER™ confirms that all the critical components are functional, it will print out a report detailing all the tests performed (see Figure 4.2M). Description of Test Report: Election Type: General Election Test Time: 2002-3-25 15:01:41...

  • Page 30: Activate The Vote-Trakker

    Avante International Technology, Inc. Once the diagnostic test is completed, Figure 4.2N will appear. VOTE-TRAKKER™ is now ready to be activated for voting as described in Section 4.2.1. Figure 4.2N 4.2.1 Activate the VOTE-TRAKKER™ Before voting can begin, the machine must be opened for polling. The “Opening” procedure is required only once after a new ballot is loaded on to the voting unit.
  • Page 31 Press Figure 4.2.1A The computer will automatically find the ward, Figure 4.2.1B, where this VOTE-TRAKKER™ is supposed to be stationed. If the Ward designation is wrong the machine has been shipped to the wrong location. Contact an Election Official immediately.
  • Page 32 Avante International Technology, Inc. You will be reminded to reset the counter and record the current readings before continuing, Figure 4.2.1C. The counter is reset to “0” by using the key provided. Press “Yes” to continue. The system will print out zero tally reports. If you press “No” it returns to Figure 4.2.1B.
  • Page 33 Press Figure 4.2.1E The “Welcome to VOTE-TRAKKER™” screen Figure 4.2.1F will appear, meaning that the machine is ready for voting. Once a machine is ready for voting, both of the two counters will increase their readings only by ballot cast. The “Check Counter” button in the “Machine Setting and Testing”...

  • Page 34: Ballot And Logic Test

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 4.2.2 Ballot and Logic Test Polling officials can use a Test Voting Card to verify the ballot content is correct. For information on how to generate Test Voting Card, refer to the Generate VID Module in the Election Administrator’s Manual.
  • Page 35 Test Voting Tally, which will not influence the tally for other voting result. The VOTE-TRAKKER™ will return the Test Voting Card to the polling official and the card can be used as long as the corresponding database is active in the VOTE-TRAKKER™.

  • Page 36: Tally Accuracy Test (Optional)

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 4.2.3 Tally Accuracy Test (Optional) To verify that the voting machine tabulates the vote cast correctly, you can get a tally of all the test votes you cast in the last section. To get the tally, enter the correct screen touch-code as explained in Figure 4.2.3A (For information on how to set screen touch-code, refer the Ballot...
  • Page 37 Press Figure 4.2.3C Press on the “Generate Tabulation” button. The VOTE-TRAKKER™’s printer will print out the paper tally for test-voting only if the voting session has not been closed. Verify that the test- voting tally conform to the totals of all the test votes cast by polling officials prior to the tabulation.

  • Page 38: Choice Of Instruction Language

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 4.3 Choice of instruction language There are some states that require multiple instruction languages for voting. In some cases, they may even require the translation of the candidate names for citizens that may have English language problems.

  • Page 39: How To Handle A "Fleeing Voter

    A “Fleeing voter” is defined as voters that leave the voting booth without casting their ballot. VOTE-TRAKKER™ is programmed to “lock-up” the screen after a fixed amount of time after the voter is absent. This lock-up occurs when the sensor cannot detect the voter’s presence after a fixed amount of time passed while the voter has not taken additional voting actions.

  • Page 40: How To Activate The Ada Function For The Visually Impaired Voters

    “The first key is the enter key, located at the extreme lower right hand corner of the keyboard unit. Please press on it now.” The VOTE-TRAKKER™ will wait till a key is entered. If the key is incorrect, the VOTE-TRAKKER™ will say “Please try again.” If it is correct, the script continues- “You have found the enter key, this enter key is used when you select the candidate of...
  • Page 41 Please press on it now.” The VOTE-TRAKKER™ will wait till a key is entered. If the key is incorrect, the VOTE-TRAKKER™ will say “Please try again.” If it is correct, the script continues- “You have found the minus key.
  • Page 42 Avante International Technology, Inc. A voice gender is selected... Next, you can adjust computer voice. You can You have choose the voice of gender, do you like male's You have chosen chosen system's voice? If you do, press the enter key or press the default setting male voice.
  • Page 43 When the enter key is pressed, the choice is read back to them. If no selection is made, the VOTE-TRAKKER™ will select the “Not Voting Party Line” selection. When the first screen appears for the first contest, the machine will announce: “The first contest is for “...
  • Page 44 Avante International Technology, Inc. If the voter still does not make his/her selection after the second reading, the machine will automatically enter “No Vote (Abstain)” and read the following to the voter, “We have assumed you are abstaining in this contest and entered “No Vote” for you. You may change this vote when we review you selections after all of the contests.”...
  • Page 45 Avante International Technology, Inc. The process repeats itself until all contests, proposals or propositions are done. The machine will read the selections made by the voter on the left hand screen back to the voter and inform him/her the following: “You have just completed your selections of all of the contests and questions for this...

  • Page 46: Opening And Closing Times

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 4.6 Opening and Closing Times The opening and closing times can be preset in the ballot generation stage of setting up the voting machines. The date and times that are entered are used for reminder purposes. Opening times and closing times are completely independent functions so one can be used without the other.

  • Page 47: Close Voting

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 4.7 Close Voting When it is the time to close voting, the polling official should press the following screen with the screen touch-code. (For information on how to set screen touch-code, refer the Ballot Generation Module Database Settings) The screen is divided into nine areas.
  • Page 48 Press the “Close Voting” button. The following screen, Figure 4.7D will ask you to make sure that you want to close voting. A Vote-Trakker will not accept any further voting after it is closed until a new ballot is loaded.
  • Page 49 Avante International Technology, Inc. Figure 4.7E You need to press “Yes” in Figure 4.7E to confirm your intention to close voting. Pressing “No” will return you to Figure 4.7C. If a designated closing time is established during the ballot generation process and the Vote- Trakker™...
  • Page 50 Avante International Technology, Inc. After the “Yes” button is pressed, the computer will begin to print out the paper tally for normal (registered voters) voting. Pressing “No” will return you to Figure 4.7C. The system will automatically begin copying the raw data onto the CDR. When finished copying Figure 4.7H appears.
  • Page 51 Avante International Technology, Inc. Figure 4.7J Press “Next”. and you will see Figure 4.7K. Choose to organize the disc and then press the “Finish” button. Do not select the first choice “To leave the disc as it is…” Make sure this box is checked.
  • Page 52 Avante International Technology, Inc. Figure 4.7M Press “OK”. The printer will begin printing the tally for provisional voting. Once the paper provisional tally is received, you can break the seal for the flap on the top right of the lid that allows access to the floppy disk.
  • Page 53 The close voting process is completed. If you press the “Generate Tabulation” button after a Vote-Trakker is closed, the printer will print out the tally for test-voting, provisional voting and normal voting. You can print out such tally as long as no new ballot is loaded onto the machine.

  • Page 54: Count Provisional Ballots

    This brings up the next screen (Figure 4.8B). Figure 4.8B WARNING: A Vote-Trakker is not responsible for verifying the eligibility of the voter. Please make sure that only provisional voting cards from eligible voters be inserted into the card reader to be counted.
  • Page 55 Figure 4.8B with the voting machine ready to count another provisional vote. Put all the verified provisional voting cards one by one into the Vote-Trakker to count the votes. After all votes have been counted, close the voting as you would on Election Day. (Refer to section 4.7).

  • Page 56: Operation Support

    Avante International Technology, Inc. provides full service support for all VOTE- TRAKKER™ systems with several levels of supports. • Full service support: For a defined fee, Avante will provide on-site support before and during an election for each county. This may include the assistance in ballot generation, transporting and installing of machines for the election, and election tabulation and assistance.

  • Page 57: Missing/Not Available Errors

    These are rarely fatal errors that would cause the Vote-Trakker™ to shut down. The only instance would be if the incorrect password/username were entered more than three times. The Vote-Trakker™ will shut down.

  • Page 58: Computer Errors

    Avante International Technology, Inc. 5.3.3 Computer Errors In the event that a computer error occurs that is not correctable, the Vote-Trakker™ should be quarantined and examined by an experienced service technician. If the error type is one that has not been anticipated by Avante, a screen will appear (see Figure 5.3.3A). If a keyboard is available, the scenario that caused the error can be typed into the text box.

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