In addition to standard computers and electronic voting devices, there is a wide range of specialised electronic/mechanical devices that can be used for electoral purposes. For example:
- Counting machines
- Letter openers
- Mail sorters
- Label printers
- Overhead projectors
- Televisions/videos
- Electronic whiteboards
- Date stampers
- Automatic numbering machines
Counting machines
Many kinds of electronic counting machines are available for counting paper ballots. Many of these were originally designed and built to count bank notes. Various counting machines are available for counting different sizes of ballots.
More complex counting machines can count ballots into batches of set numbers (such as batches of 20, 50 or 100), as well as keep a running total of the all ballots counted to a candidate or ballot option.
Counting machines are generally faster and more accurate than counting by hand.
Letter openers
Many kinds of electronic letter opening machines are available, from small, low volume machines to larger machines capable of handling high volumes of mail.
Electronic letter openers generally work by slicing a small strip of paper from the edge of each envelope. To avoid slicing the contents of the envelopes, it is preferable to ensure that the contents of envelopes are smaller in dimension than the envelopes.
Election management bodies (EMBs) dealing with large quantities of mail (for example from postal ballots) would be well advised to purchase electronic letter openers.
Mail inserting machines
Mail inserting machines allow users to insert one or more items of mail into envelopes automatically. More complex machines can be programmed by computer to insert varying items of mail in each envelope depending on the needs of each addressee.
For example, a mail inserting machine used for postal voting could be programmed to insert a personalised letter incorporating an address label, a ballot paper for the voter's specified electorate, and a return envelope addressed to that electorate's returning officer. Computer databases are used to specify the various kinds of mail received by each voter.
Mail inserting machines come in many variations, from simple desktop machines to large sophisticated computer-programmed devices. The larger machines may also incorporate laser printers, which can print personalised letters as the mail is being collated. EMBs are unlikely to have the need or the budget for the larger models, and are more likely to provide large complex mailing jobs to professional mailing companies. However, for smaller mailings EMBs may find the smaller desktop machines are useful.
Label printers
Specialised label printers are available which can print labels directly from computers. Labels can be printed directly on to envelopes or onto sticky labels.
As with mail inserting machines, label printers come in a wide range of sizes and complexities, from small desktop printers to large high-volume industrial models. EMBs are unlikely to have the need or the budget for the larger models, and are more likely to provide large complex mailing jobs to professional mailing companies. However, for printing small runs or one-off labels, EMBs may find the smaller desktop machines are useful.
Sticky labels are also available in standard paper sizes for use in standard office printers. Standard office automation products such as word processors and databases can be set up to produce mailing labels using these label sheets.
Overhead projectors
Overhead projectors advanced considerably in the 1990s from the old-fashioned early transparency projectors. While transparency projectors are still available and useful, more advanced projectors can project images directly from a computer onto overhead wide screens.
Electronic computer projectors, coupled with presentation software, can deliver very sophisticated presentations. Overhead projectors can project words, data, drawings, photographs, animations and video. Coupled with speakers, sound can be added to presentations.
Overhead projectors are widely used by EMBs for training, presentations and seminars. Projectors can also be used at public election events such as declarations of candidates, ballot draws or results.
Televisions/videos
Televisions and videos are also used by EMBs for training, presentations and seminars. Many kinds of wide screens are available to display television and video output in a large format suitable for large audiences. This facility can be useful for training large numbers of polling officials, for example.
When connected to an appropriate computer/internet system, television screens can be used to facilitate video conferencing, which is particularly useful for conducting meetings or training sessions when participants are geographically dispersed.
Electronic whiteboards
Another presentation and training tool is the electronic whiteboard. The advantages electronic whiteboards have over traditional whiteboards include the ability to 'scroll' through several different screens without having to erase earlier screens, so that the earlier screens can be returned to, and the facility to print an image of the information on the screen.
Date stampers
Mechanical and electronic date stampers of various complexities can be used to automatically date incoming and outgoing mail and correspondence.
Automatic numbering machines
Mechanical and electronic numbering machines of various complexities can be used to automatically place numbers on items such as forms received or the pages of a file.
