Patent Publication Number: US-2005139666-A1

Title: Verifiable voting input system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/532,540, filed on Dec. 24, 2003, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus for an integrated paper and electronic document verification process and in particular to a verifiable voting input system.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Recently, many devices have been proposed for casting ballots electronically. For example, U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2003/0173404 A1 published Sep. 18, 2003 discloses a method for reading ballots including reading/imaging each ballot transported on a transport path. Each ballot is read/imaged for orientation indicia, jurisdiction information, and voting selections. The disclosed method requires optically scanning each ballot following the completion of the ballot by a voter.  
      A voter feedback and receipt system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2002/0161628 A1 published Oct. 31, 2002. The system includes voter verification of an interpretation of a voter&#39;s ballot by a ballot counting device, electronic recording of the verified ballot, and providing a receipt of the verified ballot and votes cast. This system also requires optical scanning of each ballot following completion of the ballot by a voter.  
      U.S. patent application Publication No. US 2003/0006282 A1 published Jan. 9, 2003 discloses a system and method for electronic voting wherein a voter makes voting selections on a touch screen display. After the voting selections are complete, a voter verifiable paper ballot is printed and an electronic ballot is saved on the system. If the voter is not satisfied with the voting selections reflected on the paper ballot, the paper ballot and the electronic ballot may be discarded and the voter provided a new ballot. This system does not provide a paper ballot that can be utilized in a recount.  
      Notable disadvantages of the above-identified prior art voting systems are that either an original paper ballot is not used such that there is no original record of the ballots as cast that can be used for a recount, or the system requires optical scanning of each paper ballot and interpreting of the scanned data. The process of scanning each paper ballot cast is a time consuming and expensive step that also inherently includes the possibility of scanning errors which can lead to voter frustration or distrust of the system, especially in close elections.  
      International patent publication number WO/03/042931 of Lee et al. (hereinafter referred to as “Lee”) discloses an apparatus and method for recording and counting votes. The Lee apparatus includes a writing implement having a writing tip, means for electronically sensing the position of the writing tip relative to a datum position, and means for electronically interpreting the position of the writing tip sensed by the sensing means so as to provide an electronic indication of a mark applied to a voting paper with the writing implement during use.  
      The Lee apparatus and method provides both a paper ballot and an electronic image thereof; however, Lee does not include means for identifying each of the paper ballots. Nothing is provided to identify one paper ballot from another. The apparatus includes means for including a voter identification number with the electronic data recorded from each paper ballot. However, nothing is provided to correlate the original paper ballot with the electronic data received from the digital pen that is recorded from each ballot. Thus, in a recount of the original ballots, there is no way to correlate the recounted totals with the electronically stored images of the ballots and tabulated results.  
      Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a verifiable voting system that improves upon, or overcomes the problems and drawbacks associated with prior art voting systems.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a computer implemented voting system including a plurality of paper ballots each formed from a sheet of digital paper having a writing surface. A ballot form is printed on the writing surface for completion by a voter during a voting process. Each paper ballot also includes a unique identifier formed on the writing surface. Ballot form data representing the ballot form and the location thereof relative to the writing surface of the digital paper is stored in the memory of the computer.  
      A digital pen connectable to the computer is also provided. The digital pen is compatible with the digital paper for recording pen strokes made by the digital pen and the location of the pen strokes relative to the writing surface of the digital paper. The digital pen also includes an ink dispensing tip for marking the writing surface of the paper according to the pen strokes.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the unique identifier includes at least one pattern corresponding to an identifiable cell of a master sheet of the digital paper such that the unique identifier is recordable via the digital pen. The digital pen is for recording data representing the unique identifier and the pen strokes formed on each of the paper ballots used in a voting process. The computer is connectable to the digital pen for retrieving from the digital pen the data representing the unique identifier and the pen strokes formed on each of the paper ballots and for storing the unique identifier and the corresponding pen strokes data for each paper ballot.  
      Following the completion or acceptance of a paper ballot, the computer processes the data representing the pen strokes including comparing the pen strokes data with the corresponding ballot form data and determining the voter selections for the paper ballot. The voter selections for each paper ballot are then stored along with the pen strokes corresponding to the unique identifier for each ballot. The voter selections are tabulated for determining the results of a voting process.  
      Thus, the present invention voting system provides identifiable electronic data corresponding to each of a plurality of paper ballots for processing the results of a voting process via the computer and the paper ballots for verification of the results generated by the computer. Additionally, the unique identifier coupled with the voter selections for each ballot can be used for analysis regarding the voting process and the results thereof. For example, the paper ballots delivered to a certain voting location or precinct can be reviewed and compared with the results of other locations.  
      In a preferred embodiment the present invention utilizes an Anoto®-compliant digital pen or equivalent and Anoto®-compliant digital paper or equivalent that is compatible for use with the digital pen. (Anoto is a registered trademark of Anoto GroupAB of Sweden). The digital pen is connected either wirelessly or wired to a Windows based Personal Computer (PC) or UNIX based workstation or other computer system. Alternatively, a docking station can be used for connecting the digital pen to the computer.  
      As used herein, the terms digital pen and digital paper are used to describe known devices that cooperate to provide electronic data representative of pen strokes and the location thereof relative to the digital paper such that the pen strokes are reproducible by a computer in communication with at least one of the digital pen and digital paper.  
      Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a voting system that simultaneously generates both an electronic ballot and a paper and ink ballot.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a verifiable voting input system and method that is verifiable through the storage (archiving) of original paper ballots.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a verifiable voting input system and method that can be used to validate the results of a voting process including verifying voting results corresponding to each and every one of a plurality of paper ballots cast.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a verifiable voting input system and method wherein an electronic copy of each original paper ballot cast by a voter is stored in the system for future retrieval, review and and/or reproduction.  
      Other advantages and objects of the present invention that will be apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of one embodiment of a voting system according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a paper ballot according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of a portion of a typical dot pattern reproduced from a sheet of Anoto® digital paper.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a digital pen and cap for use in the voting system of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  shows a voting screen according to the present invention including an image of a blank paper ballot on the left side of a split screen and an image of a verification screen on the right side.  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of the voting screen of  FIG. 3  as filled in according to a vote cast by a voter.  
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of the voting screen of  FIG. 3  displaying an image of a paper ballot on the left screen that has been incorrectly filled in by a voter and a corresponding verification screen on the right side that includes a notification of the voting error.  
       FIG. 7  is a diagram of an overview of the back end process of a voting system according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of one embodiment of a grid as used with a master sheet of digital paper for establishing unique identifiers for a plurality of paper ballots according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a series of four ordered master sheets of digital paper as used to establish unique identifiers for a plurality of paper ballots according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 10  is an example of a blank sheet of digital paper having a unique identifier according to the present invention.  
       FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate the unique identifier of the digital sheet  26  of  FIG. 10  shown marked for registering a paper ballot in accordance with the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of the paper ballot of  FIG. 2A  having a unique identifier formed on the writing surface thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , a voting system in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference number  10 . The voting system  10  comprises a computer  12 . The computer  12  includes a processor  14 , a monitor  16  and a keyboard  18 . A digital pen  20  is connected to the processor  14  via a wire  29 . In other embodiments the digital pen  20  can be wireless or dockable with the computer  12  using a docking station (not shown). The voting system  10  also comprises a paper ballot  22  that includes a writing surface  24  formed of digital paper  26 .  
      The computer  12  is preferably a personal computer (PC) employing Windows Operating System (98, NT, Windows 2000, XP or any future Windows OS) or a Unix Workstation that supports the digital pen  20  and the digital paper  26 . The computer  12  can include a hard drive either installed locally or accessible remotely from a server or the Internet. The monitor  16  displays the computer output to a user and may include a touch screen for inputting information to the processor  14 . The computer  12  may also include other input devices such as a mouse, keypad, or joystick. Appropriate software is also provided for operating the digital pen  20 , digital paper  26 , and the voting system  10  of the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the paper ballot  22  according to the present invention includes a ballot form  28  printed on the writing surface  24  that is formed of the digital paper  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the voting system  10  utilizes Anoto® digital paper which is a product of Anoto AB of Sweden. However, other types of digital paper can be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
      The digital paper  26  includes a plurality of small or minute dots disposed in a pre-defined dot pattern  30  throughout the writing surface  24  of the digital paper. The dot pattern  30  defines coordinates throughout the entire writing surface  24  which are pre-stored in a memory of the computer  12 .  FIG. 2B  shows an enlarged view of a typical portion of a dot pattern  30  reproduced from a sheet of Anoto® digital paper. When a user applies direct pressure to the digital pen  20  against the digital paper  26 , the digital pen marks the writing surface  24  with ink as does an ordinary ink pen and also senses and thereby records the dot pattern  30  of the digital paper  26  at the location of the pen strokes. Accordingly, data representing both the pen strokes and the exact location of the pen strokes relative to the writing surface  24  are recorded and stored in the digital pen  20 .  
      In the preferred embodiment, a tiny camera in the digital pen  20  registers the digital pen&#39;s movement across the dot pattern  30  of the writing surface  24  and stores the pen stroke as series of map coordinates. The map coordinates correspond to exact locations of the writing surface  24  that are pre-stored in a memory of the computer  12  and associated with a serial number or identifier corresponding to a sheet of the digital paper  26 . As the digital pen  20  moves with a writing pressure across the digital paper  26 , the digital pen senses the dot patterns  30  and thereby records the direction and coordinates of the pen strokes. The pen strokes recorded by and stored in the digital pen  20  can be transmitted to the computer  12  in real time if the digital pen is coupled to the computer while creating the pen strokes. In the  FIG. 1  embodiment, the digital pen  20  is coupled to the computer  12  via a cable  29  such that pen strokes created by the digital pen  20  and the dot pattern  30  providing the coordinates of the pen strokes relative to the digital paper  26  are transmitted to the computer  12  in real time. Alternatively, the digital pen  20  can be configured for wireless communication with the computer  12  in real time. A wireless digital pen  20  is shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      In other embodiments of the voting system  10 , a digital pen  20  is configured to communicate with the computer  12  via a docking device (not shown) following the completion of a series of pen strokes. For example, upon completion of the paper ballot  22 , or a plurality of paper ballots, a digital pen  20  can be placed in a conventional docking device that is connected to the computer  12  and configured to transmit data corresponding to the stored pen strokes and the corresponding map coordinates on the digital paper  26  to the computer  12 .  
      Referring again to  FIG. 2A , the voting system  10  provides a paper ballot  22  that includes a writing surface  24  formed of digital paper  26  as described above. The paper ballot  22  allows a voter to cast his/her vote by marking or filling out the paper ballot  22  using the digital pen  20  just as a typical ballot is marked with an ordinary pen thereby creating an original of the completed paper ballot  22 . The paper ballot  22  of  FIG. 2A  includes a ballot form  28  including election information  32  and a voting area generally indicated by the reference numeral  34 . The voting area  34 , for example, includes a YES or NO question  36  and a candidate selection area  38 . To cast his/her vote, a voter marks the ballot in the appropriate boxes adjacent his/her selections using the digital pen  20 . To mark the paper ballot  22 , the voter uses a pen stroke that provides a mark on the paper ballot via a writing tip  21 . During the pen stroke, the digital pen  20  records the pen stroke and the location of the pen stroke relative to the paper ballot  22  via the dot pattern  30  on the digital paper  26 .  
      The paper ballot  22  including the ballot form  28  imprinted on the digital paper  26  is pre-defined. Therefore the exact coordinates of the ballot form  28  will match an image of the paper ballot previously stored in an appropriate database or memory of the computer  12 . Thus, data representing an electronic image of the paper ballot  22  is stored in the memory of the computer  12  and can be reproduced and displayed on the monitor  16  or output via a printer. Each paper ballot  22  can be uniquely identified using either the complete ballot and a unique dot pattern  30  thereon (i.e., the Anoto®-compliant sheet identifier) or a the paper ballot  22  contains a unique identifiable mark. In the former, each unique ballot can be identified using the digital pen  20  and marking anywhere on the paper ballot  22 . This method is convenient, however costly as each paper ballot  22  is defined using a unique dot pattern  30 . Providing a unique identifier on each paper ballot  22  is discussed further hereinafter.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , in a preferred embodiment of the voting system  10 , the digital pen  20  is in communication with the computer  12  including a monitor  16  during a voting process. Accordingly, as a voter completes his/her paper ballot  22  with the digital pen  20 , an electronic image of the paper ballot  22  is completed and displayed on the monitor  16  in real time. A voting screen  40 , according to the present invention, includes an electronic image  42  of the actual paper ballot  22  to be completed by a voter on the left side of a split screen. The right side of the split screen is a verification screen  44  that provides a summary of the voter&#39;s selection(s). In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, both the electronic image  42  of the paper ballot  22  and the verification screen  44  indicate that the voter has not yet made any marks on the paper ballot. As the voter completes the paper ballot  22  a voter can use the voting screen  40  to view the electronic image  42  of the paper ballot or the verification screen  44  to confirm his/her vote, as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , the voting screen  40  shows an electronic image  42  of an improperly completed paper ballot  22 . Following the marking of the blocks  43  and  45  for two separate candidates—effectively invalidating the vote—the computer  12  detects the voter&#39;s error and provides a prompt  46  on the verification screen  44  informing the voter that the vote is rejected and instructing the voter to obtain and complete another paper ballot  22 . Accordingly, the data representing the improperly completed ballot  22  can be marked void and discarded or otherwise flagged so that the voided data is not utilized in a tabulation or counting of the votes.  
      In one embodiment of the voting system  10 , once the paper ballot  22  is properly completed, the vote can be accepted by the voter by selecting an “Accept” box  48  as shown on the paper ballot  22  of  FIG. 2A . Alternatively, if a voter changes his mind, the voter can void the paper ballot  22  by selecting the “Void” box  49 . Once the paper ballot  22  is completed and accepted by a voter, the computer  12  stores data representing the electronic image  40  of the paper ballot, and the voter or appropriate authorities retains the original paper ballot to be stored for later verification of the results of the election if necessary. For example, in the case of a close race, a candidate might request a recount, wherein all or a portion of the original paper ballots  22  would be compared to corresponding electronic copies generated by the computer  12 . Alternatively, hard copies of the original paper ballots  22  could be printed out and reviewed and the votes counted and compared to the vote results tabulated by the computer  12 .  
      Additionally, upon acceptance of the uniquely identified paper ballot  22  by a voter, the computer  12  can store the image of the ballot  42  as well as the time and date the vote was cast. The voting system  10  can, upon acceptance of the paper ballot  22  by the voter, add the voter&#39;s vote(s) as cast to a running total thereby tallying the votes during the voting process.  
      Thus, the voting system  10  provides an original paper ballot  22  as well as the capability to reproduce an exact duplicate thereof using the stored pen strokes obtained by the digital pen  20  and an electronic copy of the ballot form  28 . Accordingly, the computer  12  can be used to reproduce an electronic image of each paper ballot  22  completed by a voter as well as process data representing the image of each paper ballot  22  as completed. Thus, the computer  12  in accordance with the voting system  10  includes software for processing the data representing the completed paper ballots  22  to tally the votes cast, to monitor the voting process and the results thereof, or for other purpose related to a voting process. Each of the uniquely identified paper ballots  22  once completed by a voter can be retained to verify the results of a voting process if necessary. Therefore, the voting system  10  provides a verifiable voting input system and method of use thereof for voting processes.  
      Alternatively, the paper ballot  22  can include a unique identifiable mark such as for example, a serial number. The unique mark can be either printed as a printed bar code representing a serial number or other identifier. When a verification or validation process is required for the review of an election or voting process, the voting results tabulated by and/or stored in the memory of the computer  12  of the voting system  10  and retrievable based on the unique identifier can be reproduced in the form of an electronic image of the paper ballot or a hard copy thereof. Thus, each and every paper ballot  22  that was completed, processed and stored during an actual voting process is reproducible for verifying the results of an election or voting process. These reproduced images or hard copies of the paper ballots  22  can be compared with the physically stored original paper ballots  22  filled out in ink by the voter during the voting process using the digital pen  20 . Accordingly, using an electronic image or hard copy of the original paper ballot  22 , the system and method of the present invention eliminates the possibility for any undetectable alteration of the computer record during the verification process. Additionally, the identifiable one-to-one relationship between the original paper ballots  22  and the reproducible electronic image or hard copy thereof promotes voter confidence in the integrity of the voting system.  
      One embodiment of the voting system  10  is illustrated in a flowchart of  FIG. 7  and includes a ballot form/pattern database  50  wherein ballot form data corresponding to each paper ballot  22  including the ballot form  28 , the dot pattern  30  contained thereon, and other information related to the paper ballot is stored in a memory of the computer  12 . Typically, the ballot form data is stored based on a ballot identifier wherein a plurality of ballots are manufactured using the same ballot form  28  and dot pattern  30 . Alternatively, if the paper ballot  22  includes a unique identifier, the ballot form data can be stored according to the unique identifier and represents a particular paper ballot having a unique identifier provided thereon.  
      When a ballot is cast, ballot data including a ballot identifier or unique identifier transmitted from the digital pen  20  is received by the computer  12  at block  52 . At block  53 , the ballot identifier or unique identifier is used to retrieve the ballot form data from the ballot form/pattern database  50  and confirm or authenticate the ballot identifier. The ballot data is then compared to the dot pattern  30  retrieved from the ballot form/pattern database  50  and processed at blocks  54  and  55  for confirming the location of any voter selections relative to the ballot form  28  and processing the selections which may include tallying the ballot data with respect to a vote count. The ballot data and results thereof are stored and a report generated at block  56 . A completed ballot database  58  is provided to store the ballot data retrieved from the digital pen  20  for each paper ballot  22  completed as well as data representing the image of each completed paper ballot and the election results derived therefrom.  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment of the voting system  10 , a unique identifier, generally designated with the reference number  60  is assigned to and reproduced on each paper ballot  22 . The unique identifier  60  includes at least one pattern corresponding to an identifiable cell  62  of a master sheet of the digital paper  26  such that the unique identifier  60  is recordable via the digital pen  20 . Typically, the unique identifier  60  is recorded during a voting process for identifying the paper ballot  22  and the ballot data received from the digital pen  20  during or after the voting process and associated with the completed paper ballot.  
      Accordingly, the unique identifier  60  renders each sheet of the digital paper  26  identifiable by the computer  12  via the digital pen  20 . As described herein with respect to the ballots and voting system of the present invention, the unique identifier is used to identify each of a plurality of ballots used in a voting process. However, the unique identifier for use with digital paper in accordance with the present invention is not limited in this regard. The unique identifier for use with digital paper disclosed herein can also be used in other applications where it is necessary or desirable to identify a document created using a digital pen and digital paper. For example, a prescription pad formed of digital paper and used by a physician could include a pad of multiple sheets of digital paper each having a unique identifier designated for or assignable to a specific patient according to the present invention that is detectable and recordable via a digital pen. Thus, each written prescription includes a unique identifier that can be recorded and stored along with data retrieved from the digital pen that represents the actual pen strokes the physician created when writing the prescription for the designated patient. Accordingly, the actual prescription information including any drugs prescribed and quantities are recorded and stored with respect to the unique identifier detected and recorded via the digital pen at the time the prescription is written.  
      Thus, the unique identifier of the present invention that is detectable and recordable via the digital pen provides an efficient and accurate method of identifying and storing documents created on digital paper using a digital pen. Additionally, the unique identifier can be used in the processing, editing or reporting of documents or for other purposes. Other examples of documents wherein the unique identifier for use with digital paper in accordance with the present invention can be used are business forms, employment applications, purchase orders, government forms, tax forms, medical forms and documents, laboratory forms, survey forms and school papers. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that the voting ballots described herein and the prescription pad mentioned above are just two examples of the various applications of the unique identifier for use with digital paper in accordance with the present invention.  
      Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that the unique identifier for use with digital paper in accordance with the present invention increases the usefulness of a single sheet of digital paper. For example, a single sheet of digital paper  26  having a unique dot pattern  30  can be easily reproduced n times (where n is thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, or greater) such that each of the sheets of digital paper has a writing surface with the same dot pattern  30 . A unique identifier  60  according to the present invention determined using a plurality of identifiable cells of the dot pattern  30  of the same or a different sheet of digital paper  26  can then be imprinted on each of the sheets, providing a unique identifier on each and every one of the n sheets of digital paper. Thus, the unique identifier  60  renders each of the n sheets unique and identifiable via the digital pen  60  and the computer  12 . In sum, the unique identifier for use with digital paper in accordance with the present invention can be utilized to identify any number of sheets of digital paper having the same or different dot patterns  30  as will be discussed further hereinafter.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the unique identifier  60  includes an ordered series of patterns  60 A,  60 B,  60 C, and  60 D that each correspond to the pattern contained in an identifiable cell  62  of an ordered series of master sheets  64 A,  64 B,  64 C, and  64 D of digital paper  26  used to assign a unique identifier  60  to each of a plurality of paper ballots  22 . To establish the unique identifier  60  for each paper ballot  22 , a unique identifier number  66  is selected. In the illustrated embodiment, the unique identifier number  66  includes a series of cell numbers  66 A,  66 B,  66 C and  66 D that identify a series of cells  62 A,  62 B,  62 C and  62 D respectively, one from each of the ordered series of master sheets  64 A- 64 D. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the cells  62 A- 62 D are established using a grid  68  oriented in a pre-determined position relative to the dot pattern  30  of the master sheets  64 A- 64 D of digital paper. As shown if  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the grid  68  divides the dot pattern  30  of each of the master sheets  64 A- 64 D into  240  cells. Thus, when using four master sheets  64 A- 64 D, the number of possible unique identifier numbers  66  is approximately equal to 240 4  or 3,317,760,000. More or fewer master sheets  64  can be used depending on the desired number of paper ballots  22  each having a unique identifier  60  associated therewith. Additionally, two or more cells  62  could be identified in each of the master sheets  64 , increasing the number of unique identifiers  60  available.  
      Referring again to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the unique identifier number  66  selected for the illustrated ballot  22  is  52 . 68 . 135 . 63 . Thus the cell number  66 A has a value of  52  and corresponds to the cell  52  of master sheet  64 A; cell number  66 B has a value of  68  and corresponds to the cell  68  of master sheet  64 B; cell number  66 C has a value of  135  and corresponds to the cell  135  of master sheet  64 C; and cell number  66 D has a value of  63  and corresponds to the cell  63  of master sheet  64 D. The unique identifier numbers  66  including each of the cell numbers  66 A- 66 D for each paper ballot  22  can be automatically selected in numerical order or randomly selected from the number of cells of the grid  68 . For example, if the unique identifier numbers  66  are selected in numerical order, a first paper ballot  22  could have a unique identifier number of 0.0.0.0. Typically, a software application is utilized for determining the unique identifier numbers  66  for the paper ballots  22 .  
      The unique identifier  60  including the ordered series of patterns  60 A- 60 D corresponding to the cells  62 A- 62 D of the master sheets  64 A- 64 D is reproduced on the paper ballot  22  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Additionally, the unique identifier number  66  including the cell numbers  66 A- 66 D is printed on the paper ballot  22 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the unique identifier number  66  can be omitted from the paper ballot  22  so that the unique identifier  60  and the associated paper ballot is identifiable only via the digital pen  20  via the computer  12  and a plurality of blank paper ballots  22  all appear to be the same and are non-distinguishable one from the other.  
      As used, each paper ballot  22  containing a unique identifier  60  can be initialized by a voter using the digital pen  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , by marking each of the series of patterns  60 A- 60 D of the unique identifier  60  using the digital pen  20 , each of the patterns  60 A- 60 D is recorded by the digital pen  20  and data representing the patterns  60 A- 60 D is transmitted to the computer processor  12 . The data representing the patterns  60 A- 60 D is transmitted to the computer  12  during or after a voting process as discussed above and typically following voter acceptance of a completed paper ballot  22 . The computer  12  stores the ballot data corresponding to each paper ballot  22  using the unique identifier number  66  derived from the data representing the patterns  60 A- 60 D. Thus, each of the paper ballots  22  include a unique identifier  60  that can be used to identify the paper ballot  22  as well as the stored ballot data that represents the voter selections on the paper ballot.  
      The unique identifier  60  provided on each of the paper ballots  22  can also be used to monitor a voting process either during or after the completion of the voting process. The paper ballots  22  can be distributed in certain geographic locations, and the unique identifiers  60  can be utilized to sample or review ballot selections by the computer  12  based on geographic or other criteria.  
      Another feature of the present invention voting system  10  includes a function for ballot management. The paper ballots  22  are printed on digital paper  26 , the dot patterns  30  of which are stored in a ballot database  50  ( FIG. 7 ) together with the corresponding ballot form data representing the ballot form  28  and information such as jurisdictions, contest regions and polling locations. The voting system  10  provides an administrative function to manage the assignment of the paper ballots  22  and the printing and distribution thereof. Therefore, every paper ballot  22  can be accounted for—including the ballot form  28  that is printed on each paper ballot  22 , the polling location, and where any vote count or tallies will be delivered.  
      The computer  12  processes the data received from the digital pen  20  including comparing the received data with the ballot form data retrieved from a database  50  and determines the voter selections and votes cast therefrom. The voter selections are stored in the computer  12  along with the electronic image of the paper ballot  22  and the unique identifier  60 . Thus, the electronic image  22  and the voter selections for each paper ballot  22  can be retrieved and reviewed using the unique identifier  60  or the unique identifier number  66 . Accordingly, a recount of a portion of the paper ballots  22  can be compared with the data stored in the computer  12  related to the recounted paper ballots  22 .  
      The preferred embodiment of the present invention is enabled using the commercially available Anoto® technology. It applies to any future Anoto® or similar technology that produces digital pens and digital paper that can identify and transmit the exact location of the pen strokes to a PC in real time when the digital pen is connected to the PC or other computer system.  
      Following is a summary of one embodiment of the method steps of a voting process using the voting system  10  of the present invention:  
      A plurality of paper ballots  22  are pre-printed on digital paper with a ballot form  28  and unique identifiers  60  and distributed to a plurality of polling locations for a given jurisdiction. Ballot form data representing the ballot form  28 , the dot pattern associated with the digital paper  26  as well the location of the ballot form with respect to the dot pattern are stored in the memory of the computer  12  along with the unique identifier for each paper ballot. The paper ballots  22  allocated and distributed to each polling location are identified using the unique identifiers  60  and are also stored in the computer  12 .  
      Typically, on the day of voting, after a voter is checked in and verified using a proper identification compared against a voter registration record, a voting administrator picks out a paper ballot  22  from the paper ballots  22  allocated to the particular polling location. The voting administrator then records the associated unique identifier  60  on the selected paper ballot  22  by marking the unique identifier on the paper ballot using a digital pen  20 . The paper ballot  22  is thereby initialized by the voting system  10  and ready to be cast. Alternatively, the voter can initialize the paper ballot  22  by marking the unique identifier  60  with the digital pen  20 .  
      The voting administrator hands the initialized paper ballot  22  to the voter.  
      The voter fills in a voter selection area  34  of the paper ballot  22  by marking the paper ballot  22  using the digital pen  20 .  
      The actual votes are entered into the computer  12  in real time in one of the following ways:  
      No additional action by the voter if the digital pen  20  is connected to the computer  12  at all times during the voting process;  
      When the voter places the digital pen  20  onto a pen docking device connected to the computer  12 ;  
      When the voter accepts the ballot by checking the box  48  on the paper ballot.  
      The voter can verify his/her vote by visually checking the marks created by the writing tip  21  of the digital pen  20  on the paper ballot  22 .  
      The voter can also visually verify whether the paper ballot  22  was properly read into the computer by reviewing the electronic image  42  of the paper ballot displayed on the computer monitor  16 .  
      The vote is cast and recorded when the voter accepts the result by marking an accept box  48  on the paper ballot  22  using the digital pen  20 . Upon acceptance of the paper ballot  22 , the exact date/time is recorded for the paper ballot  22  along with the unique identifier  60  therefor.  
      The paper ballot  22  is then sealed and stored physically for any future reference which may be necessary or requested.  
      Through the unique identifier  60 , the paper ballot  22  and the corresponding computer record are associated in a one-to-one relationship. The computer record includes data corresponding to electronic representation of the completed paper ballot  22 .  
      The computer  12  processes the data received from the digital pen including comparing the pen strokes and the location thereof with the ballot form data information retrieved from the ballot/form database  50  and determines the voter selections therefrom. The voter selections or votes from each ballot  22  are tabulated and stored and can be added to a running total for each candidate or issue presented on the paper ballot  22 .  
      The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The embodiments described were chosen to best illustrate the principals of the invention and practical applications thereof to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.