ImageCast
The ImageCast is a ballot marking device
that allows a voter with disabilities to privately and independently vote on a
paper ballot. Audio and tactile interfaces allow voters with sight challenges
to complete their ballot. Voters can listen to the selections over headphones,
or view an LCD screen with an image of their ballot that can be adjusted for
size and contrast. A "Sip-N-Puff" or paddle device may also be used
by voters with limited hand dexterity.
Video detail:
Exploring
the ImageCast Optical Scan Voting System |
The ImageCast Optical
Scan Voting System is a portable voting machine used by your county.
The unit may come with or without the Ballot Marking Device called a BMD, but
at least one BMD will be assigned to your polling site. |
Inspectors are also
assigned to your polling site to assist you however and whenever
necessary. |
Most voters will
obtain a preprinted ballot containing all candidates and contests. This is
given to you by an Inspector at your polling site. |
You will be directed
to a privacy booth or area where you mark your ballot using a special marking
pen. |
When completed, you
will place your ballot into a privacy sleeve and take it to the ImageCast to
be scanned. The marked paper
ballot is then inserted into the ImageCast Ballot Counter which reads the
ballot and deposits it into an internal compartment within the ballot box. Although your
Inspectors are happy to demonstrate how to complete a ballot, some voters may
need or want assistance in marking his or her ballot. The ImageCast with the
BMD has additional features that can assist any voter with this
process. Once you tell the
Inspector that you wish to use the BMD, an Accessible Voting Session will be
created for you. |
You will be given the
option of using one of several assistive devices. |
These may include a
hand-held Audio Tactile Interface, known as an ATI, |
a Sip and Puff device,
or Paddle Button device. All of these devices allow for
navigating the ballot. There is also a display screen, which, at your
request, may be turned on at the beginning of your session for you to view
the ballot and your selections. |
Any of these devices
will also instruct you on how to add Write-in votes. |
Once your session is
completed, the BMD prints a marked ballot, based upon your selections, into a
privacy sleeve. |
This ballot is then ready
to be inserted into the ImageCast’s ballot scanning station, just like the
paper ballots. At this time, upon your request, an audio/visual final
review session can be set up. |
Once satisfied with
your selections, you will cast your ballot. It is automatically
deposited into the same internal compartment as all of the other
ballots. |
There is a separate
write-in compartment for storing all ballots with marked write-in votes |
And a lockable
auxiliary compartment, which is used as a temporary or emergency repository
for ballots. |
After the polls close,
the ImageCast prints a results tape that shows the number of ballots cast |
And the tabulated
results from all voters’ ballots cast on that machine. |
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The Accessible
Voting Session |
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When requested, an
Inspector at your polling site will create an Accessible Voting Session for
you on the ImageCast BMD. |
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Make sure to let the
Inspector know what assistance, if any, is preferred. Usually, the Inspector
will direct you to a chair in front of the movable display screen. You will then be asked
which accessible device you prefer to use. Your choices may include the
Audio Tactile Interface, called an ATI, a Sip and Puff, or a paddle
device. Once selected, the
Inspector will ensure that the device is properly connected to the BMD. At the start of your
Accessible Voting Session, the ImageCast BMD provides you with step-by-step
instructions on how to use the device and walks you through the process of
voting your ballot. |
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You are always welcome
to ask for assistance, or press the Help button when using
the ATI. |
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You have the option of
using the display screen along with your audio session. |
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We respect every
voter’s right to privacy and it is your choice to have the display screen on
or off. |
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If you do want it
turned on, please advise the Inspector at the beginning of your session as it
cannot be turned on after the session starts. |
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Please note, if you
require assistance during your voting session, the Inspector or person
assisting you will not be able to see what you are doing if the screen is
off. |
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In this case, the
session may need to be cancelled and a new one initiated. |
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At the beginning of
your session, you will be able to adjust the display screen Contrast and Zoom
settings using your accessible device. You will also be able to change
the volume and speed of the audio. Some of the accessible
devices do not have the ability to allow you to change your display settings
once the voting session begins. |
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If it will make your
voting experience easier to have either the Contrast or Zoom adjusted,
let the Inspector know as these can be adjusted on the BMD machine for
you. |
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Also, please be aware
that if the audio and visual formats are used at the same time, the visual
display does not match the audio word for
word. Now that you are ready
to begin, the Inspector inserts a blank paper ballot into the slot at the
back of the BMD printer unit. Depending on your
polling site, your BMD may be programmed for languages other than
English. If yours has been
programmed, at the start of your audio session, the BMD asks which language
you prefer. |
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Next, you receive
voting instructions. |
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If using the display
screen, it automatically displays the ballot. As you move through the
ballot, contest names and candidate names are highlighted in yellow. |
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The audio voice reads
the contests and candidates to you and provides instructions on how to select
your choices. Please note, there
might be a slight delay between the time a selection is made and it is
registered by the BMD. |
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If no selection is
made within a certain period of time, the instructions are repeated. |
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The accessible session
also allows for Write-in candidates. |
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At the end of the
ballot, you have the option to review your ballot and make any desired
changes or to skip the review and proceed to printing it. |
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To ensure your voting
privacy, the Inspector will attach a privacy sleeve to the printer unit’s
slot to cover your ballot as it prints. |
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It may take as long as
two minutes for the ballot to print. |
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It is now time to scan
your ballot into the Imagecast Ballot Scanner. Your Inspector will
provide you with further instructions. |
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Scanning
Your BMD Ballot |
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Once you have
completed your Accessible Voting Session, you may insert a ballot into the
scanner with or without an Audio/Visual Review. |
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If you prefer to do
the review, you must let the Inspector know prior to
inserting the ballot into the scanner. |
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This is so the
Inspector can program the ImageCast to provide you with an Audio/Visual
“independent” review using the same devices and assistive choices as when you
voted your ballot. |
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You can now insert the
privacy sleeve into the input slot on the scanner at the other end of the
machine. |
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If you need
assistance, please advise your Inspector, who will be able to do this for
you. |
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When your review is
complete, you can either cancel or cast the ballot. |
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If you choose the
cancel the ballot, it will be returned to you, a replacement ballot is
issued, and a new Accessible Voting Session is created. |
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Once you choose to
cast your ballot by choosing the Select option on the
accessible device or scanner, the scanner automatically counts and stores
your ballot in the ballot box. |
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Using
the ATI |
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The Audio Tactile
Interface is an assistive device that enables voters with visual, cognitive,
or mobility impairments to complete a ballot. However, anyone wishing
to use this device may do so. |
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The audio-tactile
interface is also known as the ATI. |
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Audio is used to
convey information over headphones, |
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and tactile controls
allow you to convey information to the voting system. |
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The ImageCast gives
instructions on how to use the ATI, and create your ballot. |
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You will see the
functions of the input keys from the selected device. |
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You may pause the
session or |
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request assistance by
selecting the Help button. |
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The screen displays an
image of the ballot which can be adjusted through your controls for optimum
viewing. |
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Size is adjusted with
the Zoom settings, and |
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Color is adjusted with
the Contrast settings. |
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You learn how contests
and selections are displayed and can review your selections. |
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If no selection is
made within certain period of time, the instructions are repeated. |
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When you are satisfied
with all selections, a paper ballot is printed and deposited into a privacy
sleeve. |
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Once printed, you may
review the ballot through the scanner for verification. |
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Using
the Paddle Device |
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If requested, an
Inspector will assist you using the paddle device with the ImageCast BMD. |
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Once the paddle device
is selected, a welcome screen is displayed. |
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Instructions are
provided on screen and or through headphones, depending on your preference |
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You learn how contests
and selections are made and how you can review your selections. |
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Basically, you press
the LEFT/ROUND/RED button to make ballot selections and |
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press the RIGHT/SQUARE/BLUE
button to move to the next candidate or screen. |
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If no selection is
made within a certain period of time, the instructions are repeated. |
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You may request
assistance from an Inspector at any time during the voting process by asking
or holding up your hand. |
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When you are satisfied
with all selections, a paper ballot is printed and deposited into a privacy
sleeve. |
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Once printed, you may
review the ballot through the scanner for verification. |
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Using the Sip-N-Puff |
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The Sip-N-Puff device
is used to assist voters with physical impairments. |
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If requested, an
Inspector will assist you using the Sip-N-Puff device. |
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There are two types of
Sip-n-Puff devices, the Headset device |
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or the Gooseneck
device. |
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The Inspector
assembles the unit with disposable gloves for your health and safety. |
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Disposable straws are
also used for sanitary purposes to protect you. |
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The gooseneck device
is mounted to the ImageCast BMD or table. The Inspector attaches
a clean straw to the end of the tube. And places the straw
into your mouth. The device is
activated as long as the sip or puff is sustained. |
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Once the Sip-N-Puff
device is selected, a welcome screen displays, confirming your choice. |
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The system gives
instructions, in both visual and audio formats, on how to use the Sip-N-Puff
device. |
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The voting session is
now ready for you to begin marking your ballot. |
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The system directs you
through the process of creating and marking your ballot. |
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When you are satisfied
with all selections, a paper ballot is printed and deposited into a privacy
sleeve. |
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Once printed, you may
review the ballot through the scanner for verification. |
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At the conclusion of
the voting session, the Inspector carefully removes and disposes the straw. |
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Ballot Error Messages |
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There are certain
situations in which a ballot is not accepted. |
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There are three
possible messages: |
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A Blank Ballot message
is displayed when the scanner does not detect any voter
choices on the ballot. |
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The Blank Ballot
warning is provided to alert you, in case you have accidentally omitted
making any selections. |
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A Blank ballot message
gives you the option to return the ballot and receive a replacement, or cast
the ballot ‘as is’. If you want a
replacement ballot, press the Return button. The ballot is
returned to you. Place it back into the privacy sleeve. You will then be
directed to return the ballot to the Inspector who initially provided this
ballot to you in order to have this ballot “spoiled’ and receive a
replacement ballot. If you choose to have
the scanner accept the ballot ‘as-is’, you press the CAST button. Please note that after
the ballot is cast, you cannot receive a replacement ballot. When the CAST option
is selected, the system accepts and counts this ballot and automatically
places it into the secure ballot box. |
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An over voted ballot
warning occurs when the scanner detects that you have selected more than the
allowed number of candidates or ballot proposals for the contests
indicated. |
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Just like the blank
ballot, you can choose to have the ballot returned and receive a replacement
ballot, or elect to have the ballot cast ‘as is’. |
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Please note that if
you choose to cast the ballot ‘as is’, the system accepts and counts this
ballot only for the selections that are allowed. |
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A misread message
displays when the system does not recognize all of the features on the
ballot, |
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certain essential
ballot identification marks are not found, or the scanner cannot properly
read your ballot selections. |
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Some of the reasons
for this may include a physically damaged ballot, such as one that is torn or
folded. This could also occur if ballot has been marked, but is not
completely filled in, or has stray marks which might cause the ballot to be
ambiguous. |
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An ambiguous ballot
means that the scanner has detected a mark that is unclear and that the
system cannot be certain of your voting selection intent. |
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A misread ballot could
also happen if the ballot was inserted into the machine incorrectly. A Misread ballot is
automatically returned. If you receive a
Misread message, re-insert the ballot. |
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If the ballot again
generates a misread ballot message due to an ambiguous mark, you could choose
to go back to the privacy booth or area to remark the ballot accordingly. |
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If the ballot
repeatedly generates a misread ballot warning message, return your ballot to
the Inspector to receive a replacement ballot. |
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Completing a Paper Ballot |
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Your
county board has selected the ImageCast Optical Scan Voting System
to process your ballot. |
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It is important that
you mark your ballot properly before inserting it into the ImageCast scanner
to ensure that your vote choices are counted correctly. |
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Upon checking in at
your polling site, an Inspector issues a paper ballot to you, along with a
privacy sleeve which you can use to shield your completed ballot from view. |
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You will also receive
a special ballot marking pen. Make sure you only use this pen to fill
out your ballot. The ballot scanner may not correctly register your vote
choices made with any other type of marking device. |
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You will be directed
to a booth or area where you can complete your ballot in privacy. |
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If you haven’t voted
before with a paper ballot, make sure to ask the inspector for a
demonstration. Your inspectors are trained to show you how to fill out
the ballot and process it on the scanner and are always glad to help. |
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The paper ballot has
voting instructions, office titles, candidates, and/or issues for this
election printed on both sides. |
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Make sure to mark
every contest by completely filling in the square to the upper right of the
name of the candidate or issue of your choice. |
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Do not use an 'X' or
other notation." The marking pen is not
erasable, so don’t try to erase or cross out a choice after it has been made. Make sure that there
are no stray marks or doodles on the ballot. |
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You should also avoid
rolling or folding the ballot. |
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If you make a mistake
or damage the ballot, return it to the Inspector for a replacement. Be aware
that you have a limited number of replacement ballots. |
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You can also include
write-in candidates. Locate the appropriate Write-in section and write
the candidate’s name on the line in the space provided. |
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After voting, insert
the ballot into the privacy sleeve, and proceed to the scanning equipment. At the ImageCast,
place the privacy sleeve into the scanner slot. The system
automatically draws the ballot from the privacy sleeve into the
unit. The system performs a
review of the ballot. If any ballot error is detected, you are notified
with a message and the Inspector will explain your options. Otherwise, you may
press the Cast button on the ImageCast Ballot Counter. The ImageCast counts
your ballot and stores it in a secure container within the ballot box. Congratulations!
You have now successfully cast your vote using the ImageCast Optical Scan
Voting System. |