Patent ID: 7970112

Claim:
A telephonic voting system ( 10 ) comprising: a computer system ( 12 ) including a central processing unit ( 14 ) and a registration terminal ( 16 ) and a plurality of telephones ( 18 ) ( 20 ), the central processing unit having an office registration section ( 22 ) and an initial phone-in registration section ( 24 ) and a vote section ( 26 ); a registration office ( 28 ) containing a registration terminal whereat a voter provides appropriate identification and proof of citizenship, if necessary, and, thereafter, the voter enters a personal identification number into the office registration section of the central processing unit through the registration terminal; a first link ( 32 ) between any one of the plurality of telephones and the initial phone-in registration section of the central processing unit, preferably through a computer, whereby, when requested, the voter enters into the initial phone-in section of the central processing unit through the first link the previously entered personal identification number and an identifying name and password and an answer to one or more security questions; and a second link ( 36 ) between any one of the plurality of telephones and the vote section of the central processing unit, preferably through a computer, whereby, when requested, the voter enters into the vote section the previously entered personal identification number and provides the identifying name and the password and answers the security question and votes; wherein the activities at the registration office are during a first period with no link between the central processing unit and any of the plurality of telephones; wherein the activities at the initial phone-in registration are during a second period subsequent to the first period where there is no link between the vote section and any of the plurality of telephones; wherein the vote is during a third period subsequent to the second period where there is no link between the initial phone-in section and any of the plurality of telephones; and the activities at the initial phone-in registration and the activities during the vote are followed by replaying and listening to and editing any vote if desired.