In this section we examine the three main types of computerised voting systems in current
use--punch card, mark-sense, and direct recording electronic machines.34
Punch Card
Punch card voting systems require voters to mark their ballots by punching holes in paper cards.
The punch cards can be fed into computerised counting machines either at the local precincts or
at centralised tallying facilities. Punch card voting systems have been in use since the mid
1960s.
There are two types of punch cards in common use: 'votomatic' cards and 'datavote' cards.
Both are rectangular cards that are generally oriented with the long edges on the sides and the
short edges on the top and bottom. Each card is generally printed with an easily removable
numbered stub at the top. The number allows precinct officials to ensure that each voter votes
the ballot actually issued to him or her. The stub is usually removed before the ballot is
submitted to the ballot box.
The votomatic card is printed with only numbers and boxes corresponding to the locations where
valid holes may be punched in the card. The names of the candidates and ballot initiatives are
generally printed in a hinged instruction booklet that is attached to a mechanical holder into
which voters insert their ballots for voting. The holder and booklet are designed so that as the
voter turns the pages of the booklet, different columns on the ballot card are exposed. Each page
is printed with the ballot questions that correspond to the exposed locations on the ballot card.
As voters read the ballot questions, they use a stylus to punch holes at the locations
corresponding to their choices. Absentee voters generally have to identify the appropriate
locations to punch by number, as they do not have a mechanical holder available to them when
they vote.
The datavote card has ballot questions printed on it. Voters use a stylus or a special holder and
punching tool to punch holes in boxes printed next to the ballot choices. The datavote card is
generally easier for voters to use and understand than the votomatic card, since the questions are
printed directly on the card. If there are multiple questions on a ballot, however, it may not be
possible to fit all the questions on a single card. In these cases, multiple cards must be used.
Votomatic cards, on the other hand, usually contain enough ballot locations to accommodate a
ballot with many questions and candidates on a single card. Datavote cards can generally
accommodate write-in votes directly on the card, while votomatic cards require write-in votes to
be recorded somewhere else, usually on a ballot envelope.
The older punch card systems (both votomatic and datavote) use prescored cards that make them
easier for voters to punch. However, there have been a large number of problems with these
systems. The bits of paper that are removed when a card is punched, called chad, often do not
become completely detached from their cards when prescored cards are used. These 'hanging
chad' can unintentionally work their way back into place, thus blocking holes. Or, when severed
from their cards as ballots are handled, they may work their way into holes punched in other
ballots. Newer punch card systems use cards that are not prescored. Instead they generally take
advantage of special spring-loaded styluses that allow voters to punch unscored cards with ease.
Mark-Sense
Mark-sense ballots are paper ballots printed with circles, ovals, squares, or rectangles that voters
fill in with a pen or pencil to mark their votes. Optical scanning technology is generally used to
detect the marks on each ballot. Some mark-sense systems require ballots to be marked using
soft lead pencils, while others may be marked with almost any writing instrument (although
most require that red ink not be used). Similar systems are widely used for standardised college
entrance exams.
Ballot questions are generally printed directly on the ballot, next to the ballot choices. Write-in
votes can usually be marked directly on the ballot as well. Mark-sense ballots may be tallied at
local precincts or centralised tallying facilities. Some precinct tallying systems are designed to
allow voters to submit their own ballots for scanning. The scanning machine can thus notify
voters if their ballot is improperly marked, giving them an opportunity to remark their ballots.
Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Machines
Direct recording electronic (DRE) machines are computer terminals that allow voters to enter
their votes by pressing buttons or touching images on a computer screen. The original DRE
machines were simply electronic implementations of the traditional mechanical lever machines.
More recent DRE models look more like automated teller machines or personal computers and
have the ability to display photographs as well as text.
DRE machines require a larger up-front investment in equipment than do punch card and
mark-sense systems. Enough machines must be purchased so that voters need not wait in line
for extended periods of time in order to vote. In addition, DRE machines must be securely
transported to polling sites and stored between elections.
A well-designed DRE machine can be very easy for a voter to use and may be more accessible to
people who are illiterate or disabled than punch card and mark-sense systems. Furthermore,
DRE systems ensure that voters make unambiguous choices; no voter intent disputes can arise.
Because there are no physical ballots that can be recounted or examined manually, it is essential
that DRE systems be thoroughly tested prior to an election and that all parties be confident in
their proper operation. It is also essential that votes be recorded on at least two separate devices
so that a backup exists if one should become corrupted.
Election day power outages are a concern when DRE systems are used. Systems should be
capable of running on batteries--if necessary for the duration of an election--or emergency
generators, or an alternative voting system should be available as a backup.
Some recent tests using electronic voting
Belgium has been using electronic voting since 1991, when it first embarked upon this in the Canton Verlaine. This scheme has gradually expanded to include more Cantons. In the local elections of 2000, eligible voters in all Cantons could vote electronically if they so desired.
When entering the polling station voters are handed a smartcard, which she enters into the voting machine's card-reader. The voter then makes her choice by pressing buttons on a computer screen, and once the selection is made the voter will see how she has voted on the screen, before validating her choice. The vote is stored electronically in the vote machine, as well as on the smartcard. The latter is for security reasons should the voting machine break down.
In Spain, the electorate in one province has experienced electronic voting to the Provincial Assembly, although in this case it was only a test. Because after voters had casted their ballots the traditional way, they were given the opportunity to record their vote using electronic equipment too, although it was not compulsory. Here the voter used a pencil connected to a computer. The preference of the voter was stored on the smartcard, which subsequently was dropped in the ballot box.
In 1999, 55,000 Japanese voters of Kawaguchi could vote electronically. Election administrators could also count the votes electronically. Just like in the Spanish case, these elections were however only a parallel operation and had no impact on the outcome of the elections. Here the polling stations were issued with computers, smartcards, and card-readers. The computers in each polling station were connected via an intranet, so that the tallying of the ballots could be done centrally. All the voters had to do was to press images on the screen until the right party and candidate appeared and make her selection. The smartcards were then deposited in the ballot box.
