Voters will receive a blank ballot at check-in to insert into the ExpressVote ballot marking device and make their selections. After reviewing their selections on the screen, voters will print the ballot. Once voters have reviewed the selections printed on the ballot, they will insert the ballot into the DS200 digital scanner for tabulation. This hybrid system allows for the convenience and accuracy of electronic voting, as well as the security of an auditable paper ballot that can be used for manual recounts.
Bell County Voting System
ExpressVote Ballot Marking Device
The ExpressVote uses touch-screen technology that produces a paper-based ballot for tabulation. As a marking device, the ExpressVote handles the entire marking process, eliminating marginal marks and the need for interpretation of the voter’s mark. Voters will receive an activation card (ballot) with their ballot style printed on the card to begin the process. Voters will insert card into the marking device, make their selections, verify the selections made, and print the ballot. Voters then review the selections printed on the ballot for accuracy before taking the ballot over the DS200 for tabulation.
EXPRESSVOTE® Security Features of the Universal Voting System as a Marker Accuracy, security and reliability are the cornerstones of the ES&S development process for each voting system we manufacture and sell. From concept to construction, ES&S adheres to industry leading standards and complies with rigorous testing schedules set forth by federal and state election agencies.
Upholding and perpetuating the integrity of our nation’s election process is our continuing mission as a company. The ExpressVote Universal Voting System, which has received full certification and approval by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), utilizes a variety of functions to ensure election data and cast vote records are secure. In its current certification as a marking device, no vote data is stored in the device.
Its system functions are only executable during election events, in the manner and order intended by election officials performing their duties. As a paper-based voting system, the ExpressVote maintains verifiable paper vote records for every voter. Records contain both human readable selections and machine-readable barcodes containing those same vote selections. Each vote record is subsequently tabulated by an ES&S tabulator (DS200, DS450 or the DS850) and securely stored according to each jurisdiction’s election laws for recount and auditing purposes.
The operating software provides security access controls to limit or detect access to critical system components, guarding against system integrity loss and availability. This maintains confidentiality and provides accountability for each unit. The ExpressVote hardware is designed to protect against tampering, including during system repair or interventions in system operations. System access is limited during equipment preparation, testing and operation due to physical locks and required access codes. These security safeguards cannot be bypassed or deactivated during system installation or operation.
ExpressVote Ballot Marking Device
The DS200 is a polling location-based scanner and vote tabulator that combines the flexibility and efficiency of digital-imaging technology to support paper-based voting — taking traditional optical-scan ballot vote tabulation into the twenty-first century.
Accuracy, security and reliability are the cornerstones of the ES&S development process for each voting system we manufacture and sell. From concept to construction, ES&S adheres to industry leading standards and complies with rigorous testing schedules set forth by election agencies. Upholding and perpetuating the integrity of our nation’s election process is our continuing mission as a company.
Like all ES&S ballot tabulation equipment, the DS200 in precinct paper-based scanner and tabulator includes physical security features such as locking panels and security seals to secure sensitive components and election files, and a key locked case for transport and shipping. This paper-based system maintains paper vote records and takes digital images of each processed ballot.
The DS200 has received full certification and approval by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The unit allows election officials to easily validate that all resident firmware matches the firmware version certified for use in that jurisdiction. It also generates detailed audit and event logs to reveal all actions taking place on the unit while also digitally signing and encrypting all data to prevent malicious tampering.
Each administrative function requires a password be entered for completion and units can be configured to require a passcode before the tabulator boots up. Strong physical safety features including controlled keys with unique locks, security seals and security screws eliminate the possibility of undetected system tampering during storage, transport and use.
The unit only accepts approved and certified USB drives to prevent unauthorized data transfers or uploads. The DS200 tabulator is a single purpose voting device. As such, once an election official installs election programming, it is not possible for a separate device to interface with the DS200 in order to overwrite or change the election definition or system firmware. Additionally, when election results are transmitted, a double encryption procedure is employed that ensures results are secure from the time they are bundled by the DS200 tabulator until they are processed by the Election Reporting Manager (ERM).
DS850 Central High Speed Digital Scanner and Tabulator
The DS850 high-speed central scanner and vote tabulator is the fastest central scanner in the election industry. The system is used at Central Count to tabulate ballots received by mail. The DS850 continuously scans and intelligently sorts ballots with its high-speed digital image processing, saving election staff valuable time when tabulating results.
Accuracy, security and reliability are the cornerstones of the ES&S development process for each voting system we manufacture and sell. From concept to construction, ES&S adheres to industry leading standards and complies with rigorous testing schedules set forth by federal and state election agencies. Upholding and perpetuating the integrity of our nation’s election process is our continuing mission as a company.
The DS850 uses key-locks and security seals to protect the unit against tampering or intervention in system operations. All data ports and the power switch are secured behind clear plastic lockable and sealable access doors to protect access and allow election officials to detect unauthorized access easily. All critical hardware components can be locked and sealed, as well. It also provides additional alerts and logs access to the back service door.
The DS850 has no capability to write or otherwise change the election program once installed. The contents of the DS850 election media are digitally signed and verifiable using the application. The design does not include any form of manual election data entry or manipulation, thus providing a general safeguard for critical election data. All administrative functions are limited to the controls allowed through the touch screen interface, for machine operation only.
The DS850 provides options for both real-time printed and electronic logging of all activity performed, with the ability to reprint logs on demand or export electronic logs for complete review. The DS850 logs all passcode attempts, whether successful or failed, to the digitally signed audit log. In addition, all user actions (such as administrative selections and open and close poll events), whether successful or failed, are written to the audit log. Only the DS850 system can create, read, modify, and delete the audit log/ inventory as the user interface is locked out of this functionality. The DS850 uses digital encryption and signing of key configuration and data files for complete integrity of the election and results. All DS850 data is signed with FIPS-compliant digital signature algorithms. All data generated is also signed so the program receiving the data can validate it.
Voting for People With Disabilities
Curbside voting is available for persons unable to enter the polling place. Look for the accessible parking sign at the entrance. Please ask the greeter or judge for assistance or call the number whenever it is posted on the curbside voting sign located at your vote center. All polling places used by the Bell County Elections Office are accessible. Each polling location also has available magnifying sheets. All have wheelchair-accessible voting machines. Additionally, persons unable to read or write may bring an assistant of their choice to help with the voting process. Election workers are also available upon request to assist.
NOTICE OF VOTING ORDER PRIORITY
An election officer may give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person’s ability to move around.