Electronic computerized vote-counting apparatus

An apparatus for enables 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 than 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, aggregating, 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, aggregate, and tally the stored precinct vote counts for generating the election results.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates generally to apparatuses for enabling the counting of 
votes in an election. It relates specifically to such an apparatus adapted 
to enable electronic computerized programming, testing, formating, 
counting, storing, reading, aggregating and delivery of the results of 
votes recorded by voters on ballot cards, without exposing the ballot card 
to any person other than the voter. 
The prior art includes devices, at a central station in an election 
district, for electronically counting and delivering the results of votes 
cast on ballot cards at polling places in election precincts remote from 
the central station, upon bringing sealed ballot boxes, in which the 
ballot cards are inserted by the voters, from such remote stations back to 
the central station. 
Such devices are adapted for use in a number of states which permit ballots 
to be transported uncounted from the remote precinct polling places back 
to the central station for counting. However, a large number of states 
which use ballot cards 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 central station, 
as by a telephone report thereon, at which central station all such votes 
are then tallied to provide the results of the election. Such requirement 
for on-site counting is generally based on an effort to maintain the 
secrecy of the ballots and reduce the opportunities for tampering with the 
ballots in any manner, and to enable ready identification of the persons 
responsible for the ballots, for investigation and interrogation in the 
event of any voting irregularities. 
However, in those states which require on-site vote counting at remote 
precinct polling places, the sealed ballot box in which the ballot cards 
are inserted by the voters must be unsealed at such remote site to enable 
counting of such ballots. This procedure eliminates the secrecy of the 
ballots and provides an opportunity for tampering with the ballots, 
outside of the direct control of supervisory personnel at the central 
station. Further, there are no supervisory controls to insure that the 
election is conducted pursuant to the agreement of all persons responsible 
for the conduct of the election at each such remote precinct polling 
place. Still further, the counting of the votes on the ballot cards 
isperformed manually, a very time-consuming, error-prone, non-secret, and 
non-secure process. The telephoning-in of the results of the vote is 
likewise an error-prone, non-secret, and non-secure method of transmitting 
same. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention is adapted to overcome the above problems, as well as others, 
associated with the prior art. It provides an efficient and effective 
apparatus for enabling electronic computerized reading and counting of 
votes cast by voters on ballot cards, at precinct polling places, located 
remote from a central station in the election district where such vote 
counts are tallied, for each office or issue being voted on in the 
election without exposing such ballot cards to any person. It further 
provides such an apparatus for enabling electronic computerized 
programming and testing of the election at large, controlling of the 
introduction of the election into individual precinct formats, and 
reading, aggregating, and tallying of the stored precinct vote counts at 
the central station in the election district, for enabling delivery of the 
results of the election for such district regarding each office or issue 
being voted on in the election. 
The apparatus includes a plurality of programmable electronic vote-counting 
devices, each adapted to count the votes recorded by voters on ballot 
cards at the precinct polling place remote from the central station, and 
to store such vote count, for each separate office or issue being voted on 
in such election. Each such electronic vote-counting device is adapted to 
be connected to a ballot box such that the ballot card, after the voter 
records the votes therein, is inserted by the voter into the device and, 
after processing by the device, is ejected from the device into the ballot 
box to which the device is connected, for storage of the read and counted 
ballot card therein in complete secrecy and security. 
The apparatus further includes a programmable electronic vote-count reading 
device, adapted to enable 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 
the vote-count stored in each of the electronic vote-counting devices, and 
delivering the results of the election, for each office or issue voted 
upon, at the central station of the election district. 
To set up the apparatus for use in a particular election, the central 
station vote-count reading device is programmed for the offices and/or 
issues being voted on in each precinct. The central station device is then 
used to program and test the election at large, and control the 
introduction of the election into individual precinct formats programmed 
in individual precinct EPROM cartridges, adapted for use in each precinct 
vote-counting device, with the offices and/or issues being voted on in 
each such precinct. Each EPROM cartridge is then placed in a precinct 
vote-counting device, each such device being connected to a sealed ballot 
box. Each precinct vote-counting device and ballot box is then transported 
to the precinct polling place. Each is powered by a self-contained battery 
pack. 
On election day, each precinct vote-counting device is initialized, ballot 
cards are inserted therein by voters after recording their votes on such 
cards, the cards are read internally in the device and the votes for each 
office and/or issue are counted and stored and the ballot cards are stored 
in the sealed ballot box. When the election is over, the device is shut 
down, and then transported back to the central station, where the stored 
vote counts are read, aggregated, and tallied, and the results of the 
election are delivered by the central station vote-count reading device 
for each office and/or issue voted upon. 
The above features of the device enable reading, counting, and storing of 
votes recorded by voters on ballot cards at a precinct polling place, and 
storing of the ballot cards on which such votes are recorded, in a secret, 
secure, efficient and efective manner, without opportunity for disclosure 
thereof or tampering therewith. Such features further provide programming, 
testing, formating of the election, reading and tallying of the stored 
vote counts at a central station, and delivering the results of the 
election in a secure, efficient and effective manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, and as described herein, comprises an 
apparatus for enabling electronic computerized reading and counting of 
votes during an election, at a plurality of remote elections precinct 
stations, in polling places where votes are recorded by voters on ballot 
cards without exposing the ballot cards, to persons other than the voter. 
The apparatus further enables 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 the stored precinct vote counts after the election, and 
delivery of the results of the election at a central election department 
station. 
The apparatus includes a plurality of precinct workstations, as 10, each 
adapted to be located at precinct polling places remote from the central 
elections department office, and to receive ballot cards, as 12, on which 
voters have recorded their votes, as by marking in a white box opposite 
the voter's selection for each office and/or issue being voted on in the 
election, as shown in FIGS. 1-5. It is further adapted to read the 
recorded votes from the ballot cards, as 12, and to tally each vote with 
the selected candidate and/or issue position, regardless of the 
orientation of the ballot card upon insertion into the station, as 10. It 
is still further adapted to count the votes and store such count therein. 
The apparatus further includes a district workstation (not shown), located 
at the central elections department district office, adapted to program 
and test the election at large, to control the introduction of the 
election into individual precinct programs for conducting the election at 
each precinct, to read, aggregate, and tally the stored vote counts from 
each precinct workstation, after completion of the election, and to 
deliver the results of the election for each office and/or issue being 
voted on. 
Each precinct workstation, as 10, includes a housing 14, including an 
openable lid 16. Lid 16 includes a window 18, for viewing a display screen 
therethrough, a slot 20, through which a ballot card, as 12, is inserted, 
and a label 22, which may be applied thereto to identify the particular 
precinct polling place where station 10 is to be located, as shown in FIG. 
1. Further each station 10 is adapted to be connected to a ballot box, as 
24, by connectors, as 26, and sealed to ballot box 24, as by seal 28, as 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Ballot box 24 includes a ballot card receiving 
slot (not shown). 
Contained in each housing, as 14, are a ballot card reader 30, a 
programmable station computer 32, a power switch 34, and a connecting 
cable 36, as shown in FIG. 3. 
Reader 30 includes slots, as 38 on top, at both the top and bottom thereof, 
with a continuous channel therethrough from one slot the the other, 
through which slots and channel each ballot card, as 12, travels. Slot 38 
is adapted to be aligned with slot 20 in lid 16 of housing 14 upon closing 
lid 16 in housing 14. The slot at the bottom of reader 30 is adapted to be 
aligned with the slot in ballot box 24. 
Reader 30 is adapted to read ballot card 12 in any orientation in which 
such card 12 may be inserted therein by the voter, face up with the 
printing right side up or upside down, or back side up with the printing 
right side up or upside down. Reader 30 includes an internal computer, 
adapted to take data read therein and set up such data in serial fashion 
to be transmitted to station computer 32. There are two reading heads in 
reader 30, each adapted to optically scan one side of card 12 to sense the 
marks recorded thereon by the voter. Such heads are further adapted to 
read the front and back of card 12 simultaneously, as card 12 moves 
through reader 30, reading all of the front and all of the back in one 
movement of the card. 
Reader 30 further includes two sets of rollers (not shown), the first set 
preceding the read station, to pick up card 12, the second set at the end 
of card 12 to propel card 12 out of the reader and assure that it passes 
through the adjacent slot in, and into, ballot box 24. A motor drives all 
of the rollers in synchronization, to prevent jam-up of the cards. Reader 
30 will not read or move a card 12 until station computer 32 indicates 
that it is ready to receive further data therefrom, such that if an 
attempt is made to stuff a second card 12 into reader 30 before the 
station computer has completed counting the first card 12, reader 30 will 
not run, and will not accept the second card. 
Ballot card 12 includes tracking marks, as 40, on both front and back 
leading edges thereof. These marks 40 are read by reader 30, and the 
internal computer therein interprets such markings and the location 
thereof in the stream of data read by the reading heads in reader 30 to 
determine the orientation of the card. Such internal computer in reader 30 
then unscrambles and rearranges the data, to be then fed to station 
computer 32 for use in counting the votes. 
An initializing printout as 41 in FIG. 6, is processed through station 
computer 32 to initialize precinct workstation 10. Control cards, as 42 in 
FIG. 7, comprising an "end" function card, and 44 in FIG. 8, comprising a 
control card, are inserted into reader 30 at the appropriate points in 
time with respect to the election. Such initializing printout and control 
cards enable control of the election thereby, and form part of an audit of 
the conduct of the election, if required. 
Station computer 32 includes a cartridge receiving portion 46, a display 
screen 48, a line printer 50, and a keyboard 52 as shown in FIGS. 3-4. 
Cartridge-receiving portion 46 is adapted to receive an EPROM cartridge, 
programmed by an EPROM programmer under the control of the host central 
station computer. The host central station computer is programmed with the 
data for each separate precinct election, and it controls the programming 
of the individual EPROM cartridges through the EPROM programmer. Each 
EPROM cartridge is programmed with the specific data, including 
identification of candidates and issues, necessary for conducting the 
specific election at each polling place in the elections district. Such 
data comprises a sequence of instructions regarding the specific election 
taking place at a particular polling place. It includes 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. Display screen 48 is adapted conventionally to display 
alphanumeric information relating to various elections functions. The 
display thereon may be viewed, with lid 16 closed on housing 14, through 
window 18 in lid 16. 
Line printer 50 is adapted to print election-related information in 
duplicate on printout paper comprised of a roll of two sheets 54 and 56, 
one overlying the other, with lid 16 of housing 14 open. The overlying 
sheet 54 is adapted to be separable upon completion of individual 
election-related functions. The underlying sheet 56 is adapted to be a 
continuous sheet on which information regarding all election-related 
functions is retained as an audit record. Information in the supervisory 
mode of operation of precinct workstation 10, printed in duplicate on 
sheets 54 and 56 may, for example, be as shown in FIG. 6. Keyboard 46 is 
adapted to enable entry of data therethrough in the conventional manner. 
Power switch 34 is adapted to turn "on" and "off" an internal d-c battery 
which provides power to the workstation 10. Such battery further enables 
the precinct workstation to operate even if the precinct polling place 
loses a-c power. A monitor in housing 14 monitors the condition of the 
power source to indicate whether it is critically low. 
Connecting cable 36 is adapted to be plugged into the host central station 
computer to enable transmission of data thereto for aggregating the totals 
in all precinct stations 10 to deliver the results of the election. It may 
comprise a cable known as an "RS 232" plug. Data from precinct stations 10 
may be transmitted directly from the remote precinct station back to the 
host central station alternatively by an accoustical modem, enabling 
transmission of data over normal telephone lines, or a modular modem 
connectable to a modular telephone jack where available. 
The elements in precinct workstation 10, specifically reader 30, station 
computer 32, and the power source, are all modular, i.e. designed in such 
a way that if one stops working, it is easily and rapidly replaceable with 
a new module, enabling the election to continue. Further, workstation 10 
is lightweight and relatively compact, enabling it to be readily 
transported between the central and precinct locations. 
The district workstation at the central elections department district 
office comprises a host programmable computer, which performs a number of 
functions under the direction of supervisory elections personnel. The host 
computer, based on elections programming thereof, generates ballots in 
facsimile format for each individual precinct election. Such data is then 
fed out of the host to supervisory people to provide them with supporting 
information regarding information which is supposed to be in each precinct 
workstation. The host computer further tests the election as a whole, then 
introduces such data into the EPROM format, controlling the programming of 
each precinct EPROM cartridge. The EPROM cartridge is then inserted in 
receiving portion 40 of each precinct workstation computer 32, whereupon 
the election is retested at the precinct level. 
To set up the apparatus for use in an election, the host central station 
computer is programmed for the offices and/or issues being voted on in 
each precinct. The host computer is then used, prior to election day, to 
program and test the election at large, and control the introduction of 
the election into individual precinct formats programmed in individual 
precinct EPROM cartridges, adapted for use in each precinct workstation 
10, with the offices and/or issues being voted on in each such precinct. 
Each EPROM cartridge is then placed in a precinct workstation 10, each 
such device being connected and sealed to a ballot box 24. Each precinct 
workstation 10 and connected ballot box 24 is then transported to the 
precinct polling place. 
On election day, each precinct workstation 10 is initialized, ballot cards 
12 are inserted therein by voters after recording their votes on such 
cards, and the card 24 are read internally in the device by card reader 30 
and the votes for each office and/or issue are counted and stored in 
station computer 32, and the ballot cards 12 are stored in the sealed 
ballot box 24. When the election is over, the precinct workstation 10 is 
shut down, and then transported back to the central station, where the 
stored vote counts are read and tallied, and the results of the elections 
are delivered by the central station computer for each office and/or issue 
voted upon. 
The above features of the device enable reading, counting, and storing of 
votes recorded by voters on ballot cards at a precinct polling place, and 
storing of the ballot cards on which such votes are recorded, in a secret, 
secure, efficient and effective manner, without opportunity for disclosure 
thereof or tampering therewith. Such features further provided 
programming, testing, formating of the election, and reading and tallying 
of the stored vote counts at a central station, and delivery of the 
results of the election in a secure, efficient, and effective manner. 
Preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth above, for the 
purpose of explaining the invention. However, it is to be understood that 
variations may be made in such embodiments, which variations are 
nevertheless within the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in 
the claims herein.