Abstract:
This system includes modified ATM machine, resetting machine and voter&#39;s log. This system integrates the stages of voter&#39;s verification, casting, collecting votes, prevents voter&#39;s fraud, has safeguard in place to prevent multiple voting, creates hard copy for possible recount, and verifies that every vote counts and counts correctly without exposing the selection of candidate to any person other than the voter. This system tracks and verifies votes in four different ways. 1st by hard copy of the votes, 2 nd  by ATM machine 3 rd  by resetting card machine and 4 th  by voters log. This system also provides security and prevents voting fraud by taking picture of the voter while voting. It also places a flag on the record of voter after casting a vote which prevents duplicate voting. This system will also print a hard copy which will be kept as a backup for possible recount. The voter selects the language to be displayed for voting therefore will be less confusion while voting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/621,089 filed May 18, 2007 entitled, “ELECTION—VOTING SYSTEM.” The specification of said application is hereby incorporated in its entirety for all purposes, except for those sections, if any, that are inconsistent with this specification. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to voting system, and machines and methods used in such system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Presently votes are casted through either electronic voting machines, by mail, punch card system or scanners. Each of these systems has their own problems. For example, electronic voting machines do not create hard copy for possible recount. Punch card system and scanner system are difficult to use and prone to confusion and misuse and fraud. Vote by mail system is susceptible to fraud. 
         [0004]    New York times online article dated Nov. 26, 2006 with the heading “Experts Concerned as Ballot Problems Persist” stated that after six years of technological research, more than $4 billion spent by Washington we are far from ensuring that every vote counts. 
         [0005]    With the current system government has to spend billions of dollars more. The election results need to be returned within one day. The system need to have the people&#39;s confidence that the every vote counts and counts correctly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for a voting system. More specifically, there is provided, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method comprising receiving, at a voting machine, a voting card; verifying voter eligibility based at least in part on information received from a user interface of the voting machine; receiving a selection of one or more candidates from the user interface; printing a receipt indicating the selection of the one or more candidates; and receiving an envelope with the printed receipt. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The following drawings will bring more clarification and complete understanding of this invention by referring to the detail description of and claims. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  discloses the voting system in perspective. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts the uploading eligible voters&#39; list. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  Illustrates verification of the voters&#39; eligibility. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  Illustrates manual approval. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  shows diagram of casting vote. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  Illustrates diagram of the resetting machine. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  Illustrates the transmission of election results to election headquarter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The cost of some of the embodiments may be only about $200 million dollars for each national election compared to billions of dollars with the current system that government spent so far. In various embodiments, using the voting system presented in this disclosure, the government may save billions of dollars by not having to purchase the voting machines, and also not pay for their maintenance while the voting machines are not in use, but may be ensured that the voting machines will work properly on Election Day. 
         [0016]    Automated teller machines (ATMs) are maintained regularly by almost every banks. In various embodiments, one or more ATM machines may be used for voting, as will be discussed in more details below. The banks may pay for the maintenance of ATM machines with no cost to the government. Government may pay a transaction fee to banks for every vote cast and/or a flat fee for using an ATM machine during an election. Total transaction fee and cost to the government may be about $150 to $200 million dollars for each national election. 
         [0017]    Some embodiments of the system may produce a hard copy after casting each vote for possible recount. The picture of the voter may also be taken to prevent possibility of election fraud. At the election time, there may be one or more (e.g., two) election officials (e.g., poll workers) present for a polling station, which may include one or more ATM machines suitable for receiving votes. During voting, the voter may select a language to be displayed on the ATM machine and/or in a printed ballot. 
         [0018]    In various embodiments, a 1 st  component may involve uploading of a list of eligible voters into one or more participating banks&#39; ATM systems databases. A 2 nd  component may involve a registration system (voter&#39;s log). In various embodiments, once a voter may be approved for voting (e.g., after verifying the voter&#39;s voting qualification), the election official may collect the voter&#39;s name and signature in the registration system. A 3 rd  component may be a voting card to be used for voting. After voter&#39;s qualification is confirmed, the election official may give the voter the voting card. In various embodiments, a 4 th  component may be a modified ATM machine, in which a voter may insert the voting card. The ATM machine may be built with a computer-based interactive graphic interface configured to permit the voter to cast vote through a touch screen of the machine. In various embodiments, a 5 th  component may be a voter&#39;s identification number. A voter may enter his/her identification number (example Social Security number, a number that was provided by the election headquarter, or the like) in the ATM machine. The modified ATM machine may access the bank&#39;s ATM database to verify voter&#39;s eligibility. 
         [0019]    If voter&#39;s eligibility may not verified by the ATM machine and local voting lows allow manual approval, an election official may verify the voter&#39;s identifications to make sure that the voter is eligible to vote. If eligible, election official may insert a supervisory card in the ATM machine and may enter a supervisory code, followed by the voter&#39;s name, address and/or social security number. The ATM machine may record the voter&#39;s information in its database. 
         [0020]    After eligibility of the voter is verified, in various embodiments, a prompt may appear in the ATM machine screen for a language preference (e.g., English, Spanish, or other local languages) of the voter. Based on the language selected by the voter, a prompt may enquire if the voter is ready to vote (e.g., a prompt may appear as follows: “Are you ready to vote?”). After the voter identifies that he or she is ready to vote, in various embodiments, the ATM machine display may illustrate a selection list including a list of potential parties, candidates associated with the political parties, and/or any other issue that may be up for voting. The voter may input his/her choice through the interactive display, and the ATM machine may prompt the voter to confirm his/her selection (e.g., by touching an ok or confirm bottom in the display). The voter may also be given an option to re-enter his or her choice (e.g., by re-displaying the selection list) if the voter does not confirm his or her selection (e.g., by touching a “not OK,” “make change,” or back bottom in the ATM machine display). After confirmation is received from the voter, in various embodiments, the ATM machine may print out a ballot/receipt that may include the selection of the voter (e.g., a political party, a candidate or an issue selected by the voter). 
         [0021]    After verifying the printed information, the voter may place the ballot in a blank envelope and seal it. In various embodiments, the voter may place the sealed envelope in a 2nd envelope, seal and/or sign the 2nd envelop, and insert the 2nd envelop into the ATM machine or into an external envelop collection box. 
         [0022]    After the voted confirms his selection and votes, in various embodiments, the ATM machine may increment the cumulative total of people voted. The ATM machine may also copy the voter&#39;s name and/or social security number to a magnetic tape (or other information storage element) on the back of the voting card. The ATM machine may also print the voter&#39;s name and identification on the sealed envelope deposited in the ATM machine. In various embodiments, the ATM machine may take a picture of the voter after or during the voter votes. In various embodiments, after the voting process is complete, the ATM machine may eject the voting card from the ATM machine. The voter may retrieve the voting card and return the card to the ballot worker. 
         [0023]    In various embodiments, a 6 th  component may be a resetting machine. An election official may swipe the voting card, received from the voter after he or she has voted, in the resetting machine. The resetting machine may capture the voter&#39;s name and/or social security number, store information regarding completion of the voting by the voter, increment a voting counter, erase the voter information and/or reset the card. In various embodiments, the voting card may then be reused for a next voter to vote. In various embodiments, the voting card may have to be reset for further use by other voters. Unless the card is reset, a next voter may not be able to use the card for voting. 
         [0024]    In various embodiments, after the election is over and the poll is closed, information stored in the resetting machine database and/or other information (e.g., election results) stored in the ATM machine&#39;s database may be transferred to a central database (e.g., the election headquarters&#39; database). After receiving data from one or more resetting machines and/or ATM machines, a central system (e.g., a server at the election headquarter) may place a flag on the record of each of the voters received in the central database. The flag may indicate that a specific voter has caste his/her vote. Once a flag is placed on a voter&#39;s record database, the database may not accept another vote for the same person. 
         [0025]    In various embodiments, the election headquarters&#39; database may also produce a list of individuals with more than one vote. This list may be forwarded to a legal department for legal action against those who voted more than once. Accordingly this system may prevent multiple voting by a single voter. In various embodiments, the bank may also transfer the sealed envelopes to the election headquarters for possible recount. 
         [0026]    Tabulation on each of the modified ATM machines may be held by keeping the cumulative results of all the people who have voted using the specific modified ATM machine. Total number of votes reported by the bank on an ATM machine should match the number of signatures collected in the voter&#39;s registration log for that ATM machine. That number should also match with the number of voters that has been captured by the resetting machine, and also should match with the number of votes in the envelopes delivered by the bank to the election headquarters. 
         [0027]    Each modified ATM machine in the voting system may be responsive to an external information keyed card for activation and for selection of the various choices available to the voter. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts a method for operating a voting system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 1  illustrates uploading of a list of eligible voters into one or more participating banks ATM machines&#39; databases. In various embodiments, a poll worker may verify a voter&#39;s eligibility to vote using one or more documents supplied by the voter (e.g., an identification card) and matching the voter&#39;s information with a voters list available with the pole worker. Upon verification, the poll worker may provide a voting card to the voter. In various embodiments, the voter may cast his or her vote through an ATM machine using the provided voting card. In various embodiments, the ATM machine may store the voter&#39;s information in a magnetic tape (or other appropriate storage element) at the back of the voting card. Then the voter may return the card to the poll worker. In various embodiments, the poll worker may swipe the card through a resetting machine. The resetting machine may capture the voters&#39; information from back of the card and may reset the card. After the election is over, participating banks may transmit the election results to the election headquarter. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a method for uploading eligible voters list, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the election headquarter may transfer the eligible voters list to one or more databases of one or more participating banks. Participating banks may receive the data and store the information in one or more ATM databases. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates a method for verifying voters&#39; eligibility, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, a poll worker may verify a voters&#39; identification for determining the voter&#39;s eligibility to vote. When the voter does not have proper documents (e.g., an identification document, as required by local voting laws), the voter may not be permitted to vote. If a voter has proper documents, a poll worker may collect one or more information about the voter (e.g., name, address, voter&#39;s signature, etc.) in a log and may provide the voter with a voting card. 
         [0031]    The voter may insert the voting card in the ATM machine. In various embodiments, voter may enter his or her identification number that the voter received previously from the poll worker or from the election headquarter. The ATM machine may verify an eligibility of the voter against a voters list stored in the ATM machine database. If the voter&#39;s records are found in the ATM database, the voter may be permitted to proceed with voting. 
         [0032]    However, in case the voter&#39;s records are not found in the ATM database (e.g., due to misspelled name of the voter in the database, ineligibility of the voter to vote, malfunction of the ATM machine an/or the voting card, wrong identification number entered in the ATM machine, or the like) and the local voting law does not approve manual approval, the poll worker may cross the voter&#39;s name from the voter&#39;s list and may indicate so in a comment section associated with the voter&#39;s name in the list. Then the poll worker may take back the voting card from the voter. 
         [0033]    If local voting law permits manual approval, the poll worker may double check the voter&#39;s documents for eligibility. If the voter is found to be eligible, the poll worker may provide manual approval (discussed below with respect to  FIG. 4 ) of the voter in the ATM machine. If the voter is found to be ineligible, the poll worker may cross the voter&#39;s name in the voter&#39;s list and may indicate in the comment section of the reason the voter&#39;s name was crossed out. Then poll worker may take back the voting card from the voter. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method for manual approval of a voter, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As discussed with respect to  FIG. 3 , in various embodiments, a voter&#39;s records may not found in the ATM database and the local election law may permit a manual approval process. In such cases, a poll worker may insert a supervisory card in the ATM machine. The poll worker may then enter a supervisory ID and supervisory code in the ATM machine, and may subsequently enter the voter information in the ATM machine. The ATM machine may store the voters&#39; information in the machine&#39;s database (or in any other appropriate database). The poll worker may then log off the ATM machine and/or may provide the voter with the voting card. The voter may insert the voting card in the ATM machine and proceed to vote. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a method for casting votes, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. After the voter inserts the voting card provided to the voter by the poll worker, a prompt in the ATM machine display may ask for the input of the language preference of the voter (e.g., English, Spanish, or the like). Based on the language selection by the voter, the ATM machine may display instructions in the selected language, and verify one or more voter&#39;s information (e.g., name, identification number, or the like). In various embodiments, the ATM machine may provide the voter with an option to select an election candidate by name or by party (e.g., “Select by name”, “Select by party”, or the like). In case the voter prefers the candidates to be displayed by name, the ATM machine may display one or more of the candidates&#39; names alphabetically. If by party is selected, the ATM machine may display the candidates&#39; names within the party alphabetically. After selecting a preferred candidate, a prompt may ask for confirmation of the selected candidate. If the voter does not confirm his or selection (e.g., by touching a “Back” button in the machine display), the ATM machine may display once again the candidate and/or the party list. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a method for casting votes, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the operations of  FIG. 5B  may be performed after the voter confirms his or her selection in the ATM machine, as discussed with respect to  FIG. 5A . After the selection is confirmed, in various embodiments, the ATM machine may print a ballot with the selected candidate&#39;s name. The voter may place the printout in an envelope and will seal that envelope. In various embodiments, the voter may place the sealed envelope in the 2 nd  envelope, seal the 2 nd  envelope, sign on the back of the 2 nd  envelope, and insert the 2 nd  envelope in a deposit slot of the ATM machine (or in a separate envelop collection machine). 
         [0037]    In various embodiments, at this point, the ATM machine may increment by one a counter that tracks, among other things, a total number of voters who voted. The ATM machine may also copy the voters&#39; information (e.g., name, social security number, or the like) on a magnetic tape on the back of the voting card. In various embodiments, the ATM machine may print the voter&#39;s information (e.g., name, address, etc.) on the 2 nd  envelope deposited in the ATM machine. In various embodiments, the ATM machine may take a picture of the voter (during or after the voting is completed). The ATM machine may then eject the voters&#39; voting card. The voter may retrieve the voting card and may forward that to the poll worker. The ATM machine may retain the envelope inside the ATM machine. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method for operating a resetting machine, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, after the poll worker received the voting card from a voter who just voted, the poll worker may swipe the voting card through the resetting machine. As discussed with respect to  FIG. 6 , the ATM machine may write the voter&#39;s information in a magnetic portion of the voting card. The resetting machine may detect the voter&#39;s information, and capture and store the information (e.g., voter&#39;s name, social security number, etc.) in an encrypted format in a database associated with the resetting machine, and reset the voting card by, for example, deleting the information on the card (so that the same voting card may be used for a next voter). If no information is available in the voting card, the resetting machine may also reset the voting card. In various embodiments, the resetting machine may increment (e.g., add one) a counter that may keep track of the number of voters who voted. After the voting card is reset, the poll worker may provide the voting card to a next voter, and the process may continue. After all the voters have voted, the poll worker may deliver the resetting machine to an election headquarter. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  illustrates a method for transmission of election results, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. After the election is over (e.g., after all voters present in the voting station have voted, or after a predetermined time for voting has elapsed), the participating banks may transfer the votes from respective ATM machine databases to a central database (e.g., an election headquarters&#39; database). The transfer may be performed electronically (e.g., over a network, over a storage medium (e.g., a compact disk), or the like). 
         [0040]    A central device (e.g., a server) may place a flag on the record of voters who voted (known from the received list of voters from the participating banks) in a main voter database (e.g., a main voters list). While placing the flags, if it is determined that a voter has prior flag in his or her records, it may imply that more than one vote is coming from a single voter (e.g., may imply that the voter may have voted more than once, or any other person may have impersonated the voter and have voted using the voter&#39;s information). Such voter&#39;s information may be included in a duplicate voters list. In various embodiments, an ATM machine may also generate and/or print a duplicate voting list of voters voting in that ATM machine. In various embodiments, the votes of voters in the duplicate voting list may be nullified and/or legal action may be initiated against voters included in the duplicate voting list. In various embodiments, voter&#39;s picture taken in the ATM machine during voting and/or the voter&#39;s signature may be used to verify identity of voters in the duplicate voting list and may optionally be used as proof against the voter in a court of law. 
         [0041]    If a record of a voter does not have any prior flag, the record may be added to a counter of people voted. Once all votes have been counted, the election results may be announced. If there is no objection to the results, the announced results may be made final. If there are objections to the election results and a recount is approved, the electronic results may be tallied against the printed ballots (that may have been printed by the ATM machine after the voter confirms his or her preference). Otherwise the election results are final. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  illustrates voter voting using an ATM machine, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  illustrates a resetting machine and a voting card, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10  illustrates a voters&#39; log, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the voters&#39; log may include information about a voter, e.g., the voter&#39;s name, an identification number, a voter identification number, address, signature of the voter, and/or the like. 
         [0045]    In various embodiments, the voting system of the present disclosure may be reliable, as the voting system may generate a hard copy of the voter&#39;s preference as a backup, and may also provide checks and balances between the participating banks and election headquarter. In various embodiments, the voting system may prevent fraud, as the system may generate hard copy ballots, and/or may take a picture of voter while voting. The system may facilitate more voting booths, and may enable more people to vote with greater ease. The system may also ensure that every vote are counted, and counted correctly. 
         [0046]    In various embodiments, the system may track and verify votes in more than one ways. For example, the system may track and verify votes by hard copy of the votes, by ATM machine database, by the resetting card machine database, and/or by the voters&#39; log. In various embodiments, the system may also provide security and prevent voting fraud by taking picture of the voter while voting. The system may also identify and/or prevent duplicate voting. The system may also print a hard copy which may be kept as a backup for possible recount. The voter may select the language to be displayed for voting, thereby creating less confusion while voting. Also since a large number of existing ATM machines may be used for voting, this may create convenience for the voters to vote, and encourage more people to vote in elections.