Abstract:
A vote verification system and method which provides assurance to voters that their votes were processed. The system includes a computer including a reader, wherein the computer is for reading machine-readable information on a receipt containing both the machine-readable information and human-readable information as the voter presents the receipt to the reader, obtaining identifying information associated with a ballot of the voter, and providing the identifying information so that a voter may compare the identifying information to the human-readable information on the receipt.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   With the rise in electronic voting kiosks, some people worry that voters&#39; ballots may be deleted or altered without their knowledge, and the legitimacy of elections may be called into question. Ballots are open to manipulation. They can be thrown out, and some people may suspect that the ballot boxes can be stuffed by allowing some people to vote more than once. Some people have called for an auditable paper trail that can be used to validate election results. 
   Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a vote verification system and method. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A vote verification system and method is provided. 
   The system includes a computer including a reader, wherein the computer is for reading machine-readable information on a receipt containing both the machine-readable information and human-readable information as the voter presents the receipt to the reader, obtaining identifying information associated with a ballot of the voter, and providing the identifying information so that a voter may compare the identifying information to the human-readable information on the receipt. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a voting system; and 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a vote verification method. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , voting system  10  includes voting kiosk  12  and ballot counting system  60 . 
   Voting kiosk  12  includes processor  14 , display  16 , input device  18 , printer  20 , reader  22 , and sound system  24 . 
   Processor  14  executes voting software  30  for displaying voting choices and for recording voter selections. 
   Display  16  displays the voting choices and voter selections. Display  16  may include a liquid crystal display. 
   Input device  18  records the voter selections. Input device  18  may include a touch overlay over display  16 , forming a touch screen. 
   Printer  20  prints a ballot  40  following completion of voting. Printer  20  applies unique human-readable identifying information  44  and unique machine-readable information  46  on ballot  40 . Ballot  40  is placed into secure collection bin  50  following voting. 
   Machine-readable information  46  may be in the form of a barcode label or radio frequency identification (RFID) label. Machine-readable information  46  acts as a reference to identifying information in a database, such as ballot database  72 . 
   Both types of identifying information may include precinct, time, voting machine used, and other information helpful to verifying that a vote was actually completed and should be counted. 
   Printer  20  also prints receipt  42  for voter  52  which includes the same information as is printed or applied to ballot  40 . 
   Reader  22  reads machine-readable information  46  on receipt  42 . Voting software  30  requests corresponding identifying information from ballot database software  68  and displays the identifying information on display  16 . Voter  52  may compare the displayed identifying information to human-readable information on receipt  42  before ballot  40  is dropped in secure collection bin  50 . 
   Alternatively, voting software  30  may display a confirmation message that that the ballot  40  corresponding to the read machine-readable information  46  was processed. As an alternative to displaying the confirmation (or error) message, kiosk  12  may provide an audio confirmation message through sound system  24  or print a confirmation message through printer  20 . 
   Voting software  30  may also provide names of person for whom ballots were tallied, their addresses, times and places where ballots  40  were cast, and other identifying information from ballot database software  68 . As a safeguard against over-voting or voter fraud, voting software  30  may also indicate the number of ballots  40  that were cast for that voter  52  (this number should always be “1”). To prevent vote-buying or voter intimidation, voting software  30  would not, however, reveal the way that voter  52  voted. 
   Ballot counting system  60  includes processor  62 , display  64 , and reader  66 . Ballot counting system  60  may additionally include an image scanner. Ballot counting system  60  may be located at state-sanctioned facilities, such as a county election commission office. 
   Processor  62  executes ballot database software  68 . Ballot database software  68  stores identifying information for ballots  40  and counts ballots  40 . Ballot database software  68  may also store images of individual ballots  40  obtained by scanning ballots  40  by image scanner  70  for later visual verification. 
   Display  64  displays identifying information and counted results. 
   Reader  66  reads machine-readable information  46  on ballot  40  and receipt  42 . If there were a need for a recount of ballots  40  collected from the polls, reader  66  would read machine-readable information  46  on ballots  40 . 
   Voters  52  who wanted to make sure that their votes were properly tabulated and counted could return to a designated location where ballot counting system  60  was located, and have their receipts  42  read by reader  66 . Ballot database software  68  would then display similar types of verifying information as voting software  30 . For example, ballot database software  68  may display an image of a ballot  40  that was associated with voter  52  for inspection by voter  52 . 
   If irregularities were found, information on receipt  42  about the time, location, and machine used for voting could help track down the sources of the problems. Printing human-readable information  44  on ballots  40  provides additional safeguards against over-voting, since over-voting would likely occur at times when polls are closed and poll watchers and election judges are not present. The time-stamp on improper ballot would indicate that the ballot was cast at an invalid time. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an example verification operation is illustrated in detail beginning with START  80 . 
   In step  82 , voting software  30  applies human-readable information  44  and machine-readable information  46  to ballot  40 . 
   In step  84 , voting software  30  produces receipt  42  following completion of voting and applies human-readable information  44  and machine-readable information  46 . 
   In step  86 , voting software  30  provides voter  52  an opportunity to verify that his vote was processed before ballot  40  is deposited into secure collection bin  50 . If voter  52  chooses to verify, operation proceeds to step  88 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to END  98 . 
   In step  88 , voting software  30  reads machine-readable information  46  on receipt  42  presented to reader  22  by voter  52 . 
   In step  90 , voting software  30  obtains identifying information from ballot database software  68 . 
   In step  92 , voting software  30  displays the identifying information from ballot database software  68  on display  16 . Voter  52  may compare the displayed identifying information to human-readable information on receipt  42 . 
   In step  94 , operation ends. 
   Ballot database software  68  may allow voter  52  to complete a similar verification process. Additionally, ballot database software  68  may display an image of a ballot  40  that was associated with voter  52  for inspection by voter  52 . 
   Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.