Avante VOTE-TRAKKER User manual

Avante International Technology, Inc.
VOTE-TRAKKER™ Election Official Manual
Part B
Sections 4 - 5
Version 4.4.3
Date: June 7, 2002
© 2001-2002 Avante International Technology, Inc.

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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
1.1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL ......................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
1.1.1 Basic Operational Functions ................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.1.2 Voter Operating Functions and Modes.................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2 SAFETY INFORMATION......................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2. OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT............... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2.1 MEANS OF INTERFACE BY THE VOTER:................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2.2 POLL WORKER FUNCTIONS: ................................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
3. OPERATIONAL FEATURES ........................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
3.1 BEFORE VOTING AND VID#: ............................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
3.2 HOW TO START VOTING?................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
3.3 THE VOTING PROCESS –HOW THE VOTER VOTES ............. ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
3.3.1 Enter the VID# to initiate voting.......................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.2 Verify the ballot.................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.3 Straight Party Line Option (When available) ...................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.4 Make the selections if “Straight-Party-Line” voting is not allowed..... Error! Bookmark
not defined.
3.3.5 How to perform a “Write-In” on VOTE-TRAKKER™.....Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.6 Checking choices and making changes before pressing “Cast Vote” Error! Bookmark
not defined.
3.3.7 Voting on Public Questions, Initiatives, and Propositions .............Error! Bookmark not
defined.
3.3.8 Casting vote before all contests were selected..................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.9 Cast vote and end voting when all contests have been selected .........Error! Bookmark not
defined.
3.3.10 Cast vote - collect your voter receipt ................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.11 How to vote a provisional ballot.........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3.12 CUMULATIVE VOTING ................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

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3.3.13 RANKING VOTING................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
3.3.14 PRIMARY ELECTIONS.......................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
4. ELECTION OFFICIAL OPERATING PROCEDURES.............................................. 1
4.1 HOW TO PREPARE A VOTE-TRAKKER™ FOR AN ELECTION .................................................. 1
4.1.1 Load Ballot.......................................................................................................................... 1
4.1.2 Prepare hardware components............................................................................................ 8
4.1.3 Test the VOTE-TRAKKER™................................................................................................ 9
4.2 OPEN POLL ON ELECTION DAY.................................................................................................. 20
4.2.1 Activate the VOTE-TRAKKER™ ....................................................................................... 25
4.2.2 Ballot and Logic Test ......................................................................................................... 29
4.2.3 Tally Accuracy Test (Optional).......................................................................................... 31
4.3 CHOICE OF INSTRUCTION LANGUAGE ...................................................................................... 33
FIGURE 4.3A ................................................................................................................................... 33
4.4 HOW TO HANDLE A “FLEEING VOTER” .................................................................................... 34
4.5 HOW TO ACTIVATE THE ADA FUNCTION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED VOTERS..................... 35
4.6 OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES .................................................................................................. 41
4.7 CLOSE VOTING .......................................................................................................................... 42
4.8 COUNT PROVISIONAL BALLOTS................................................................................................. 49
5. OPERATION SUPPORT ............................................................................................... 51
5.1 SYSTEM WARRANTY .................................................................................................................. 51
5.2 SYSTEM CORRECTIONS UNDER WARRANTY................................................................................ 51
5.3 ERROR MESSAGES ..................................................................................................................... 51
5.3.1 Missing/Not Available Errors ............................................................................................ 52
5.3.2 Incorrect / Incomplete Errors ............................................................................................ 52
5.3.3 Computer Errors................................................................................................................ 53
6. APPENDICES................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
6.1 GLOSSARY ........................................................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
6.2 REFERENCES ..................................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
6.2.1 Miscellaneous Error Screens ............................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

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6.2.2 Manufacturer’s Recommended Security Procedures.......Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.2.3 Machine Setting & Testing Functions...................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3 CALIBRATION OF TOUCH SCREEN........................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
7. PRINTER INFORMATION............................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION............................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2. CONSTRUCTION............................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2.1 CONFIGURATION.................................................................. ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2.2 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION.................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
2.2.1 Drive and paper feed.............................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2.2 Printer ...................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2.3 Presenter ...............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS...................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
4. PAPER ROLL SPECIFICATIONS................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5. DISPLAYS AND FUNCTIONS ...................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5.1 LEDS................................................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5.2 RESUME BUTTON.............................................................. ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5.3 POWER SWITCH AND BUTTON COMBINATIONS.................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5.4 SENSOR ADJUSTING MODE .................................................. ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5.6 ERROR MESSAGES ............................................................... ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
5.7 NEAR-END SENSOR POSITION.............................................. ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
6. CUTTER............................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
7. PRESENTER .................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
8. RELIABILITY.................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
8.1 DURING OPERATION............................................................. ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
8.2 DURING STORAGE ................................................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
8.3 LIFE TEST ............................................................................ ERROR!BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

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9. INSTALLING THE PAPER ROLL ............... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
10. MAINTENANCE............................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

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4.1 How to prepare a VOTE-TRAKKER™ for an election
VOTE-TRAKKER™ is designed to be working alone and independent of any computer network
or communication network. The first step to prepare a VOTE-TRAKKER™ for an election is to
load the ballot onto the voting unit.
4.1.1 Load Ballot
VOTE-TRAKKER™ is designed to receive ballot information via a ballot CD disc generated by
a Ballot Generation Computer (For information on how to generate a ballot CD, refer to the
Ballot Generation Module and Manage Ballot Data Module in the Election Administrator’s
Manual). You should have a ballot CD, floppy disk and flash memory card ready.
Remove the top cover of the VOTE-TRAKKER™ so that you can gain access to the CD-RW
drive, floppy drive and PCMCIA slot for flash memory. Insert the floppy disk and flash memory
card into their correct locations prior to turning on the power. If the system is turned on without
the floppy and/or flash memory in place you will get a message telling you what is missing.
When you press “OK” the next screen will tell you a critical component has failed. You must
press “OK” and the system will shut down. See figures 4.1.1A and 4.1.1B.
4. Election Official Operating Procedures
Figure 4.1.1B
Fi
g
ure 4.1.1A

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Plug the VOTE-TRAKKER™ into the power outlet via UPS. Press the Power On/Off switch
button at the rear bottom of the VOTE-TRAKKER™ to turn on the system. This will turn on the
computer and other hardware components. Once the computer is turned on, press the CD-RW
door open-button, place the ballot CD into the CD-RW drive and close the door.
Wait until the system boots up and you see the following screen, Figure 4.1.1C.
Figure 4.1.1C
CD-RW Drive Floppy Drive
Flash Memory
(PCMCIA Slot)
CD-RW Door open button
Floppy Drive
Flash Memory
(PCMCIA Slot)

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Check around the perimeter of this window to make sure the touch screen is working. If the
touch screen is functioning properly, then press the “No” button to move to the next screen. If
the touch screen is off calibration (meaning the pointer is not exactly where your finger touch is),
then use your finger to adjust the position to get the arrow to point to the “Yes” button. When
the arrow is over the “Yes” button, press the screen to activate the calibration program. Details
of the calibration program are described in section 6.3. If the touch screen is completely non-
functional, contact Avante International Technology, Inc. for assistance.
Upon completion of calibrating the touch-screen or aborting the touch-screen calibration process,
Figure 4.1.1D will confirm that the computer has detected a ballot CD in the CD-RW drive:
Press the “Yes” button to continue loading new ballot. If you press “No”, the system will start to
load the most recent voting database. If you press “No” by mistake you can return to this screen
by removing the CD-RW and then replacing it.
Figure 4.1.1D

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The next screen, Figure 4.1.1E asks for the Polling Official username and password for loading
ballot. Use exactly the same username and password as in the Manage Ballot Data Module. Both
the username and the password are case-sensitive. After you enter the Polling Official, press on
the “Password” space to enter the correct password. The default Polling Official is Super01 and
the Password is Vote01. Press “OK” to continue.
If you choose “Quit” the system will return to the voting module log-in screen Figure 4.1.1F
and load the last ballot used after the Polling Official username and Password are entered. The
system default settings require two sets of polling officials’ names and passwords: Enter 11 in
the polling official’s field and leave the password field blank, press “OK”. Enter 22 in the
polling official’s field, and leave the password field blank, press “OK”.
Fi
g
ure 4.1.1E
Figure 4.1.1F

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You can press the “About” button to see the version number of the “Load Ballot Data” software
Figure 4.1.1G.
After the correct username and password are entered, Figure 4.1.1E the computer will verify that
the VOTE-TRAKKER™’s serial number is included in the ballot CD. If the computer cannot
find a matching number in the CD, the following screen, Figure 4.1.1H will appear to notify the
election official:
Figure 4.1.1H
If this happens, check with the county election office to add this voting machine’s serial number
into the ballot program and generate another CD disc to try loading again. The serial number is
located on the outside back of the unit.
Figure 4.1.1G

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If a matching number in the CD is found, then the screen in Figure 4.1.1I appears.
Press on the “Yes” button to continue. The above screen is a reminder to back up the old
database. The actual back up procedure should have been done at the Ballot Generation
Computer by writing the old database into a ballot CD. If you choose “No” the system will return
to the voting module login screen Figure 4.1.1D and load the last ballot used.
Figure 4.1.1J is the SA (System Administrator) password screen. The default password is null
(meaning no password required). Press the “OK” button to continue. The “About” button will
show you the version. “Quit” returns to the voting module login screen Figure 4.1.1F and loads
the last ballot used.
NOTE: If the local jurisdiction election office has changed the SA password, you must enter the
correct password to continue.
Figure 4.1.1I
Figure 4.1.1J

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The next screen allows you to set up the Database name, Login user name and Password for the
new database, Figure 4.1.1 K. If you do not supply a password a warning screen appears but it
will allow you to continue without a password. This is not recommended. Always keep a record
of the database name, login user name and password for future reference and audit purpose.
Press “OK” to continue. If you choose “Quit” the system will return to the voting module login
screen Figure 4.1.1F and load the last ballot used.
The computer will begin to set up the new database. A horizontal status bar will appear on the
screen to show the progress. Wait until you see the next screen, Figure 4.1.1L.
This confirms that the ballot information has been successfully transferred onto this voting
machine. A new database has been set up for the upcoming election. Press “OK” to continue.
Vote-Trakker serial number
You cannot change it.
You can change the Database name,
Login user name and Password.
Figure 4.1.1K
Figure 4.1.1 L

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4.1.2 Prepare hardware components
After the ballot has been loaded the computer will automatically start to run the voting program
based on the new database. Before entering the passwords in Figure 4.1.2A the election official
should also know the answer to the following:
•Will raw data be recorded onto a CD-R disc (refer to Generate Ballot Data Module
ÎDatabase SettingsÎRaw Data Storage) ?
If the answer is yes, press the CD-RW door open-button and take the ballot CD disc out from
the CD-RW drive. Put a new, formatted CD-R disc into the CD-RW and close the door. If
the answer is no, just take out the ballot CD disc.
•Raw data will be recorded onto a flash memory card
Make sure a flash memory card has been inserted into the PCMCIA slot.
•Will the internal thermal printer print a receipt after each ballot cast?
If yes, make sure the printer has enough paper left. Replace paper if necessary.
After the election official is sure that all necessary hardware components are present, press the
“Cancel” button, Figure 4.1.2A to quit the process. The purpose of doing this is to shut down the
system. When the “Cancel” button is pressed, Figure 4.1.2B will ask you to confirm that you
want to shut down the system. If you enter the Polling Official’s usernames and passwords the
system will go directly to Figure 4.1.3D to begin testing.
Figure 4.1.2A

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Figure 4.1.2B
Press “Yes” to continue shut down. When you see the message “It is now safe to turn off the
computer” on the screen, press the VOTE-TRAKKER™’s power on/off switch located at the
rear of the machine to shut down. VOTE-TRAKKER™ is now ready for the election. Press “No”
to return to Figure 4.1.3A.
4.1.3 Test the VOTE-TRAKKER™
Press the power on/off button to start VOTE-TRAKKER™ . Wait until you see the “Calibrate
Touch-Screen?” screen again. Press “No” to skip it. The following screen Figure 4.1.3A will
appear.
Figure 4.1.3A

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Enter the required number of polling officials’ names and passwords. The system default settings
require two sets of polling officials’ names and passwords: Enter 11 in the polling official’s field
and leave the password field blank, press “OK”. Enter 22 in the polling official’s field, and leave
the password field blank, press “OK”. (The local jurisdiction election office should change this
in the Generate Ballot Data Module.)
Figure 4.1.3B will appear if there is any incorrect entry:
Figure 4.1.3B
Warning: Three consecutive failed attempts to enter the correct username and password
will lead the system to shut down. If you see the following screen, Figure 4.1.3C, you must
press “OK” which shuts down the system. You will need to turn the machine on again, confirm
the correct username and password and retry.
Figure 4.1.3C

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Once the required usernames and passwords are accepted, the following screen appears:
Insert the Smart Card Reader test card. This card tests the functionality of the smart card reader.
If the reader is performing properly, it will accept the card, read it, push it back out and Figure
4.1.3E appears.
Figure 4.1.3E or Figure 4.1.3F
Press “OK” if Passed. If you see Figure 4.1.3F, the card reader failed Try again with another
card. If it still does not work, then notify a supervisor for repair. If the reader fails press “OK”
to continue. For voting the VID # must be entered manually.
The next start-up test is the presence sensor. First it asks you to cover the sensor for three
seconds, Figure 4.1.3G. Press “OK”. It then asks you to uncover the sensor, Figure 4.1.3H. Press
“OK”. Make sure there is nothing in front of the sensor for five feet.
Figure 4.1.3G Figure 4.1.3H
Figure 4.1.3D

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If everything is functioning, the Figure 4.1.3I message will appear, otherwise the Figure 4.1.3J
message will appear. Again report any problems to the supervisor for repair. A sensor error will
not stop the voting process. Press “OK” to continue.
Figure 4.1.3I Figure 4.1.3J.
The final test is for the counters. The counters are increased by one increment. Note the counts
on both counters and press “OK”, Figure 4.1.3K. A visual check is made to see if both moved up
one count.
Enter “Yes” or “No” depending on the counter function test. If the answer to the counter function
test is “No”, the voting program will be terminated and the system will shut down, Figure
4.1.3N. This voting unit is not suitable for conducting an election until the counter is repaired.
Figure 4.1.3K Figure 4.1.3L
Figure 4.1.3N

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If the two counters are functioning properly, the VOTE-TRAKKER™ performs other internal
tests for all other critical components. The test will include the hard drive, floppy disk, flash
memory cards (if selected), CD-R disc (if selected) and printer. If any of the critical components
are missing or nonfunctional, a screen similar to Figure 4.1.3M will appear to notify the election
official as to what component/s have been found to be non-functional.
Figure 4.1.3M
Once the “OK” button is pressed, Figure 4.1.3N appears. Press the “OK” button to shut down the
system. Report the failure to the supervisor for necessary repair.
Figure 4.1.3N

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When the VOTE-TRAKKER™ confirms that all the critical components are functional, it will
print out a report detailing all the tests performed (see Figure 4.1.3O).
Description of Test Report:
- Election Type: Based on description assigned
during ballot generation.
- Test Time: Time the report was printed.
- Vote-Trakker: The network identification of
the computer in the Vote-Trakker™.
- Software Version: The version of the Voting
module.
- Hardware Version: The version number of
the Vote-Trakker™ hardware.
- Machine ID: Assigned during ballot
generation. A unique number.
- Machine Code: Used for the voter receipt.
- Allocated Name: The name assigned in ballot
generation for this particular Vote-Trakker™.
- Machine Status: Either closed or open for
voting.
- Raw Data File: Checks raw data file(s) for
availability and to make sure they are the same.
- Times are listed for opening, closing, first
and last cast of votes.
- Each major device is checked for operational
status.
- Each storage media is checked for available
memory size. If empty (e.g. no floppy in drive)
the Test will read EMPTY!
- Spaces are provided to write down the
counter information and appropriate signatures.
Spaces are provided for signatures and
countersignatures for all parties to
agree that the machine is ready for
voting.
Election Type: General Election
Test Time: 2002-3-25 15:01:41
Vote-Trakker: VTP000010001007
Software Version 4.3
Hardware Version 1.3.0
Machine ID: 2
Machine Code: 02
Allocated Name: VTP000010001007
Machine Status: Close
Raw Data File is OK!
03-20-2002 06:45:58
Open Poll by Polling Official 11,22
03-20-2002 06:46:09
First Ballot Cast
03-20-2002 15:24:25
Last Ballot Cast
03-20-2002 16:00:03
Close Poll by Polling Official 11,22
Device Test Status
Battery: PASSED! 100.00%
Counter: PASSED!
Printer: PASSED!
Sensor: PASSED!
Smart Card: PASSED!
Sound: PASSED!
Store Media Size(Available) Test
A:\Floppy 1344.2K AVAILABLE
C:\Hard Drive 16499342.5K AVAILABLE
D:\CD-ROM 681080 K AVAILABLE
E:\Flash Mem 31202 K AVAILABLE
Beginning Public Counter Number
Ending Public Counter Number
Beginning Protective Counter Number
Ending Protective Counter Number
Polling Officials Signature
X______________________________________________
X______________________________________________
Observers: X___________________________________
Figure 4.1.3O

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After printing out the report. Figure 4.1.3P will appear. Press the “Machine Setting & Testing”
button.
Press the “Date & Time” on the next screen, Figure 4.1.3Q.
Figure 4.1.3Q
Press
Figure 4.1.3P
Press