They are particularly suitable for capturing data from forms. ICR systems are also being examined for their suitability to capture hand written numbers from ballots used for more complex electoral systems, such as alternative vote and single transferable vote systems. To date, automatic data capture systems have not been used for these electoral systems owing to the complexity of the task. In addition to capturing images for conversion into data, scanners can also capture images to be stored as computer-readable images. Photographs, drawings and images of text can be stored and reused in computer-readable form.
Computerised images have many electoral applications.
Images can be used on websites and printed in publications. Staff photographs can be placed on an electoral authority's 'Who we are' internet page and in its Annual Report. Photographs of polling stations can included on websites and instruction manuals. Examples of completed forms can be scanned as images and printed in training manuals. Paper-based forms can be imaged and stored in electronic form.