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With the eSlate system, the task of issuing a ballot to a properly qualified voter is called 'Adding a Voter'.
However, with eSlate, instead of issuing the voter a regular paper ballot, you will instead give the voter a
randomly generated
access code on a small stub of paper. When the voter enters all four
numbers of the access code
into the eSlate machine, the proper ballot style
for that voter will appear.
With the eSlate system a ballot style is called
a 'Precict ID." Let's take a look
now at the specific steps required to add voters
from the JBC.
In this example I'll demonstrate the screens that will appear on the JBC
to add a voter for a General Election.
Again, when we're adding voters we assume that the voter has already been
properly qualified at the poll book and
we know the voters
ballot style or precinct ID.
In step one, from
the main 'Polls Open' menu, you will
press the button next to 'Add Voter'.
If your polling place includes more than one precinct or
ballot style,
the JBC will present a screen asking you to
enter the Precinct ID. It's essential to correctly select the voters Precinct ID from the JBC
in order to ensure the proper ballot style appears.
Next, the JBC will display a randomly generated access code on screen and it will allow you to
confirm the voters precinct.
After doing so you may press the button next
to 'Print',
at which time
the JBC generates the access code on paper.
Again, the voters Precinct will also appear on the Access Code.
Those are the images that will
apprear on the JBC for a
General Election. If you are adding voters for a Primary,
after pressing 'Add Voter' you may
be required to select the voter's party affiliation from a screen that looks like
one of these two examples depending on the configuration of your particular eSlate system.
Again, the Access Code is a randomly generated four digit number
whose only purpose is to bring up a particular ballot style
on the eSlate when the voter enters the Access Code. The Access Code is completely annonymous
and it is not tied to any personal voter information
nor
is it tied to any of the voters choices on a given ballot. Once the Access Code enables
the ballot on the eSlate, it has served it's purpose.
In the unlikely event that
your JBC printer is ever disabled,
you may hand write the Access Code that appears on the JBC screen
on any piece of paper and then
press 'Print' to continue. Again, even if your printer is
disabled, you can still see
the access code on screen, and then
you must press 'Print' to activate the code.
A few additional rules to keep in mind regarding Access Codes:
first of all, only issue Access Codes from the JBC
when there is an eSlate booth that's
open and available for that voter. Think of it
on the model of traditional paper ballots, just as you wouldn't want to have paper ballots not correctly tracked at the polling place, you want to
exercise secure Access Code management. In addition, from the
time that the JBC operator presses the button next to 'Print' and the Access Code is
activated, it has a built in expiration period.
Typically Access Codes
expire 30 minutes
from the time they are issued.
Your jurisdiction may differ. In any event,
if you have many voters lining up at the JBC,
simply allow them to wait until the eSlate booth is available,
and then issue an 'Access Code' so the
voters are not standing in line
with live 'Access Codes' while the clock is ticking, so to speak.
Finally, it's always the
best practice after issuing an 'Access Code' to confirm the voter's precinct or ballot style
on the piece of paper before handing it to the voter.
Now that we've learned how to generate 'Access Codes' on the JBC,
in a moment we will use those new skills
to practice voting on eSlates if you have equipment available.
Before doing so, however, I want
to mention that eSlate can also accomodate write-in votes if
such an option is available on the ballot.
To vote for a write-in, if the write-in is an option on
the ballot, turn the select wheel to highlight the
write-in option
and press 'Enter'.
Next, turn the select wheel
and press 'Enter' to spell out each letter of the candidates name
that you wish to write in.
If you wish to insert a space, hightlight the word
'Space' and press enter.
To change a letter entered incorrectly, highlight
the words 'Clear Last' and then press 'Enter'.
When you've finished spelling out the
write-in candidates name, turn the select wheel to highlight 'Accept' and
press 'Enter'.
If you have training equipment available, you may pause the
video now and follow the steps in your desk reference under
'Adding Voters'.
Generate several 'Access Codes'
and then use the 'Access Codes' to practice voting on eSlate.
Take this as an opportunity to practice and experiment with the features of eSlate that interest you.
Take a close look
at a ballot summary page or a paper verification page if your
eSlates have a VBO printer.
You can try using the 'Help' button, 'Previous' and 'Next',
Try changing a choice, or you can experiment
by pressing the 'Cast Ballot' button at different times during the voting process.
After you've had time to practice with the eSlate
we'll resume the video in a moment.