Abstract:
A voting system having a controller connected to a plurality of voting stations and a public display. The controller stores, edits, and displays resolutions that are voted on. The controller also records, tallies and displays the results of the votes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is directed to a voting system and more particularly to a voting system that improves the efficiency of municipality voting. 
         [0002]    Presently, for board meetings and municipalities, much time is spent going from one member to the next to record their vote. Additional time is needed to record, tabulate, and report the results of each vote. As a result, less time is available for discussion of issues and resolutions. Therefore a need exists in the art for a voting system that addresses these deficiencies. 
         [0003]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a more efficient voting system. 
         [0004]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a better way of recording and reporting voting results. 
         [0005]    These and other objectives will be apparent to one of skill in the art based upon the following disclosure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A voting system having a controller connected to a plurality of voting stations and a public display. The controller stores, edits, and displays resolutions that are voted on. The controller also records, tallies and displays the results of the votes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of the environment of a voting system; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram for a voting system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0009]    Referring to the Figures, the voting system  10  includes a controller  12  that is electronically or wirelessly attached to a plurality of voting stations  14  and a display  16 . The controller  12  includes a processor  18 , memory  20 , database  22 , input device  24  such as a keyboard and a screen  26 . Typically, the controller  12  is operated by an administrator  28 . 
         [0010]    The voting stations  14  have a microphone  30 , a voting device  32 , and a voting display  34 . The voting device  32  is of any type but preferably has voting buttons  36  where one button is for yes, one is for no, and one is for abstain. 
         [0011]    The display  16  includes a screen  38  that permits voting members  40  and the public  42  to view voting results. 
         [0012]    In operation, a resolution file  44  is created which includes a plurality of issues to be voted on. Each resolution is provided a name  46  and a time stamp of when the resolution was created. The resolution file  44  is either input or downloaded to the database  22  of the controller  12 . Initially, when a meeting begins, shown on the controller screen  26  is a double display which includes an input display  48  and a voting display  50 . The input display  48  includes input areas  52  where the names of the board members  40  and chairman  54  may be input, edited, and changed. The voting display  50 , which is shown on each voting display  34  and the public screen  38 , shows the names of the voting members  40  and chairman  54  preferably as they are seated in the voting room. 
         [0013]    First roll is taken where the administrator  28  inputs the presence or absence of each voting member  40  and chairman  54  which is then shown on each voting display  34  and the public screen  38  either by color or indicia. 
         [0014]    Once roll is taken a resolution is selected by the administrator  28  from the resolution file  44  and either the name of the resolution, the resolution itself, or both are shown on voting display  34  and/or public screen  38 . Discussion then occurs and either the resolution is voted on, changes are made to the resolution, or a portion of the resolution is voted on. If changes are made to the resolution or just a portion is voted on the administrator  28  edits the name  46  and/or the resolution and the revised resolution is time stamped and saved in the database  22 . For discussion the administrator  28 , through the controller  12 , activates the microphones  30  of the voting stations  14 . In one embodiment a timer is set for the microphone to shut off activation when a predetermined time elapses. The administrator  28  activates all microphones  30 , just the voting member  40  speaking, or all voting members  40  present. The administrator  28  may also designate some microphones, such as the chairman&#39;s  54 , to remain on at all times. 
         [0015]    Once discussion is closed a vote is taken. Each voting member  40  places their vote by activating a voting button  36  corresponding with their vote. A signal is sent from the voting device  32  to the controller  12  where the vote is recorded, tallied, and displayed. When displayed, each voting member&#39;s  40  vote is shown on screen  34  and  38  either in color or by indicia and a tally is also shown. If there is a tie, then the chairman  54  votes in the same manner. 
         [0016]    From the votes, reports  56  are created by the processor  18 . The reports include, but are not limited to, historic voting of each voting member  40 , the vote for each resolution, and votes for each meeting. In addition, the meeting may be recorded and stored by the controller  12 . Minutes of the meeting may be input and stored in the database  22 . 
         [0017]    Accordingly, a voting system has been shown that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.