In view of the recent publicity given to punch card voting equipment, it seems appropriate to endeavor to answer the most common questions surrounding the use of the punch card voting system in Chesterfield County. There is a mask installed in the Votomatic, which reveals certain holes that are aligned with ballot book pages in the recorder, which in turn correspond to names of candidates or issues. This card is then inserted into a precinct ballot counter, which is programmed to translate the hole and number to the particular candidate or issue. One ballot counter is located in each Chesterfield precinct.
Voters insert their ballot card into the counter.
If there is any problem with the ballot card that would render it unreadable, it occurs when the voter inserts it into the counter, resulting in the card being rejected by the counter. At that time, the voter can be issued another ballot card and directed to vote again. After the close of the polls, the counter generates the election results for that precinct. The results are then relayed by computer or telephone to the Chesterfield Registrar's Office, where the countywide totals are compiled and published. There is even newer technology emerging that makes use of computer smart cards.