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After I cast my ballot, where do my votes go?
Election results are stored in three independent memory locations within the voting machine. Additionally there is a removable storage card locked inside the voting unit that records internal audit information.
Are the DRE voting systems tested?
Yes. The voting system goes through a rigorous set of tests that are performed by the Independent Testing Authorities (ITAs) - one for the software (source code) and one for the hardware. The ITAs are certified by the Federal Election Commission and follow the Voting System Standards. The ITA tests to ensure that the voting system accurately tallies votes and that the hardware is impervious to destructive handling and magnetic devices. South Carolina receives the executable software directly from the ITA, not from ES&S. In addition to the testing performed by the Independent Testing Authorities, the State of South Carolina conducts tests on each voting unit before it can be certified for use in the State.
Can my vote be altered?
No. Illegally changing votes would require a conspiracy of unscrupulous voters or election insiders, or a combination of the two. The electoral process is designed in such a way that no single individual, or even a small group of individuals, can tamper with the election results. It is also important to note that such a conspiracy would not necessarily require any "security relevant flaws" in the software code to accomplish its aims. Fraud of this degree would have the potential to undermine any voting system.
How do I know my vote will be counted?
When the final on-screen ballots is complete, voters have the opportunity to review their choices. Once complete, voters are instructed to cast their votes by pressing the oval shaped 'VOTE' button at the top of the iVotronic voting machine. The iVotronic will not cast a ballot until all pages have been viewed and the review screen appears. At this point the 'VOTE' button begins to flash red. Pressing the button will finalize the voter's selections and cast their ballot. The voter will hear the unit beep twice as confirmation their vote was cast. The screen will also confirm the ballot was cast by displaying 'Thank you for voting'.
You can download the iVotronic instructions (PDF file)or read the article How to Vote. You can also watch a video demonstration on how to use the voting machines.
How do I know the new voting machine will work properly on Election Day?
Each piece of equipment is prepared for the election by election staff and a test is held to verify this process. Before this process and after the test is completed, all equipment is sealed and secured until being opened by the poll managers in the polling location on Election Day. Note - This information applies only to the Counties of Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Calhoun, Cherokee, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lexington, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York.
How is a Recount handled?
There are three ways to conduct a recount on the iVotronic voting system. An individual requesting a recount may choose (1) an automated recount of the central system; (2) an automated recount of the ballot images; or (3) a manual recount of the ballot images. (1) The automated recount of the central system involves creating a recount database in the central computer and then rereading the memory cards from each iVotronic voting units affected by the recount. (2) The automated recount of the ballot images is done by reading each vote cast on each iVotronic voting units from the precincts affected by the recount and recording each vote cast on the unit's recount tally sheet. This continues until all voting units affected are recounted. (3) The manual recount of the ballot images is done by printing the ballot images from each of the voting units affected by the recount. Once the ballot images are printed, a team of election officials manually count the printed ballots. Note - This information applies only to the Counties of Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Calhoun, Cherokee, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lexington, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York.
What are official results?
After the election, a canvass is conducted to review accumulated votes. Results from individual voting units are uploaded into a new election configuration and compared with the election night totals. Only after the six member Board of Canvassers review and verify these results are they considered official.
Why are we moving from our current voting system to a touch-screen system?
As a result of the adoption of the HAVA Act of 2002, a statewide HAVA advisory committee was formed to study the current state of elections in South Carolina. Part of the charge of this committee was to plan and implement any changes necessary for the State of South Carolina to achieve compliance with HAVA. The committee determined that a uniform statewide voting system was one of the most efficient means available to comply with certain parts of HAVA. A uniform voting system allows for more consistency in all election matters and does not require a voter who moves from one county to another to learn a new method of voting. Additionally, the new federal Help America Vote Act requires the use of a voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities and capable of providing alternative language ballots. The iVotronic supports these mandates. The current systems used throughout South Carolina are not flexible enough to accommodate the need for multiple languages, to allow the visually impaired or disabled voter to vote without assistance, or to provide the resources needed for longer ballots used in today's elections. The system choosen during the state procurement process happens to be a touchscreen based product. This type of voting system was not mandated by the State Election Commission. All qualified voting system manufacturers were permitted to submit proposals during the procurement process. After an exhaustive evaluation process, the system selected by the procurement evaluation panel was Election Systems and Software's iVotronic, a touchscreen based product.
Why did the State select a Direct Recording Electronic voting system?
The DRE voting system was chosen because it is the most accurate and accessible voting system on the market today. With a DRE voting system, there are no questions of voter intent. A voter cannot vote for more than one candidate for an office, all voters - including blind and visually impaired voters - are able to vote a secret ballot, and the ballots can be easily translated into multiple languages to comply with federal minority language requirements. The technology used in DRE voting systems has been tested by independent testing authorities and by states across the country, and has a proven record of accuracy and security.
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