Electronic Voting: FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the voting process work?

When you arrive at the polls, you’ll check in with the poll workers, signing a voters certificate and showing ID.
You will then be handed a voter access card programmed with your ballot information.
This card unlocks the voting machine. It contains no personal data about you or your vote.
Go to any available voting unit. Insert the voter card in the slot at the right hand side, and push it in firmly until it clicks.
The first screen you’ll see is the Instructions Page. Read it carefully, then touch "Next" to begin voting.
The first page of the ballot will be displayed next. To make your choice, simply touch the box on the screen next to the candidates or questions. An “X” will appear next to your choice. To change your choice, touch the box a second time. The “X” will disappear. Then you can make your new selection.
Georgia’s touch screen system will not let you choose too many candidates for an office or to vote both “yes” and “no” on a question (that is, to “over vote”).
A summary page will show at the end of your ballot. Races in which you have not made selections will appear in red. By touching a race, you can return to it and vote (or change your vote) if desired.
After you are done making selections, touch “Cast Ballot” at the end of your summary screen to cast your ballot. You have now completed voting.

Q: How do I confirm my intended votes before I cast my ballot?

After you have made all of your ballot selections you will see the Summary Page. This screen lets you quickly review your ballot and see if you missed anything. Offices that have not been voted are displayed in red. To make a change, touch the specific box or touch "Review Ballot" to move back through the previous screens.
Make sure you’re satisfied with all of your choices. When you have no further changes, touch “Cast Ballot.” Once you touch "Cast Ballot", your vote has been recorded.
After you cast your ballot, the machine will automatically eject your card. It is now blank. If you try to re-insert it, the card will not work. When you’re done voting, please return your card to a poll official. The card will be reauthorized for another voter.

Q: Are the new voting units accurate and reliable?

Yes. Before being certified for use in Georgia, these systems endured extensive testing of both hardware and software at a federal laboratory. The state and counties also have conducted tests on each voting unit before it is used confirming both the hardware and programming for that election are correctly recording votes cast.
Each unit is freestanding. Because they are not connected to the Internet or any other computer network, they cannot be penetrated by computer hackers.
In the event of a power outage at the precinct, each unit can continue operating on battery power for several hours.
Your vote is stored in two separate locations to assure that no vote can ever be lost…even if the very unlikely event of an equipment failure.

Q: Is my vote secret?
A:	Yes. The voter access card that you put in the voting unit has no personal information about you. It simply unlocks the machine and loads the ballot for you to vote. The votes you cast on the touch screen terminals cannot be traced back to you in any way. If the individual ballots from each machine need to be printed out, they are randomized so no vote can be associated with an individual voter.

Q: How are votes recorded and reported?

Your vote is recorded in two separate locations on the voting unit, assuring that no vote can ever be lost. The touch screen terminals record choices in flash memory, assuring that votes remain secure even in the unlikely event of a sudden equipment failure.
In addition to the onboard location, votes are stored on a removable computer memory card. After the polls close, a paper tape is printed and posted at the precinct showing the vote totals from each machine and from all of the units in an individual precinct. These tapes, along with the removable PC cards from each unit, are collected and transported to the county elections office. There, the vote totals are compiled and the cards and tapes are kept in a secure location.

Q: How do I cast a write-in vote?

To vote for a write-in candidate, under the appropriate race touch the box marked "Write In". A keyboard is then displayed on the screen. Simply type in the name of the candidate. When you are done, touch the box marked "Record Write In". Your choice will then appear under the race.
Voters should note, however, that, under Georgia law, write in votes are only counted and compiled for those candidates who have filed an official notice of their write in candidacy.

Q: What features will help voters with disabilities?

All of Georgia’s voting units may be configured with an “ADA kit” to accommodate the visually impaired, and to allow them to make ballot choices independently and without assistance using an audio interface. One unit in each Georgia precinct will be configured in this way. These units may also be used by non-impaired voters as well. The sensitive nature of the touch screen and the ability to position the screen at a right angle to the voting booth, along with the use of a keypad, also enables easy access for those individuals with unique accessibility requirements.

Q: What safeguards exist for Georgia’s voting equipment?

There is extensive testing of each voting unit upon its arrival in Georgia. The State performs quality control audits and acceptance testing of each voting unit received. Once received, county election officials secure the equipment for storage and maintain security controls over the equipment whenever it is taken from storage. Importantly, before every election county officials test every voting unit with its software for that election to ensure that votes are being accurately and reliably recorded.