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Elections Office
Kathy E. Van Wolfe
County Records Building
214 North 4th Street, Suite 300
Waco, Texas 76701
P.O. Box 2450
Waco, Texas 76703
Phone: 254 757-5043
Fax: 254 757-5041
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are we changing the way we vote?
What’s wrong with the optical scan system?
A: The optical scan system has served McLennan County well, but the federal government
passed the Help America Vote Act on October 29, 2002.
The Act mandates the availability of voting systems that are accessible to
persons with disabilities, including those who are blind, in each polling site by
early 2006.
Q: Why did McLennan County choose the eSlate?
A: The new McLennan County eSlate Voting System has the three qualities that are
essential in a voting system and to meet the new federal requirements.
It is accurate, secure, and very accessible to all voters, even those who
are blind, visually impaired or who have limited or no mobility.
Q: How was the eSlate system chosen?
A: The McLennan County Elections Administration
Office investigated available systems for 18 months.
They reviewed all systems certified by the Texas Secretary of State.
Following a public showing of the systems
under consideration and visits with Texas counties using each of the systems, the
Election Administrator’s Office recommended the eSlate by Hart InterCivic. The McLennan
County Commissioners and the Elections Administrator believe this system will serve
McLennan County voters well for many years to come.
Q: How much did the new system cost?
A: McLennan County has signed a contract
for $1.3 million to cover the cost of the system.
Federal funds through the Help America Vote Act will reimburse the County
for $1.4 million of that. This price
includes all voting equipment and software for in-person voting and a new system
for absentee voters. Hart will assist with implementation, long-term support, maintenance
services, assistance with voter outreach and education, and comprehensive training
for election staff and all poll workers.
Q: Will voters have a chance to try out the new system
before they vote on it?
A: Yes. Voters will have a chance to take the new equipment for a test spin.
The equipment will be available daily
at the Elections Administration Office, located in the County Records Building at
214 North 4th Street, Suite 300, Waco, TX
76701 for those wanting to come try it out.
Additionally, groups may contact Elections Administration Office to request a presentation
for a meeting having at least 25 or more in attendance or to check out a “How to Vote
Using the eSlate” video. You may
also take the eSlate for a spin by going to
http://www.hartintercivic.com/files/eSlate.swf or access the video or a slideshow
about using the new system through our web site,
http://www.co.mclennan.tx.us/elections.
Q: Is the new system based on a touch screen, like some ATMs?
A: The voter uses a rotary wheel to
navigate through the ballot and select his or her vote. This interface was chosen
because it is more accurate and durable than touch screen systems, and voters with
limited or no vision also find the system very easy to use.
It also costs less to store and maintain, thus lowering the cost of the system
over the life of its use.
Q: I have never been able to vote without someone helping me. Will someone be there to help me
with this new system?
A: Yes. Someone will be there to help you, but the system is designed to help you
vote without assistance. There is an
audio ballot reader that can help if you have problems with your eyesight or difficulties reading the ballot for other reasons, and a special
HELP
button is available if you have a question.
Q: How can we sure this system is working as it should be?
A: Before any vote is cast, there
is a process of testing the machines to be sure they are working as expected.
This process, known as logic and accuracy
testing, allows election officials to be sure votes are counted as they are cast.
Q: How do I know that the way the electronic voting system recorded my vote is the same way I intended to cast my vote?
A: After you have voted in the last
contest on the ballot, a screen will appear listing all the choices you have made,
and it will let you know if you missed voting in any race. Although you may change
your selections at any time, you may also make corrections from the ballot summary
screen to make sure your votes are counted the way you want them to be. When you
are finished reviewing your ballot, press the CAST
BALLOT
button to put your ballot into the electronic ballot box.
Q: Does the system have a paper trail?
A: Yes. Following each election, election officials can print all cast vote records
to paper should they chose to do so.
At this time, however, the State of Texas does not require a voter verifiable paper
trail that can be printed and viewed by the voter at the polling place. Should Texas
lawmakers ever pass a law mandating such a requirement, McLennan County, like all
Texas jurisdictions, will comply. Our
voting system will support this capacity should it be required.
Also know that election officials have always and will always ensure votes are recorded
correctly, by testing the voting system programming and validating it before and
after the election – in the presence of witnesses – to ensure that votes are counted
and reported as they are cast, through a process known as logic and accuracy testing.
There are many other security features – both in process and in equipment and software – built into the process.
Q: What if a recount is necessary?
A: If necessary, the new system can
provide election officials with a paper Cast Vote Record.
This Cast Vote Record provides a means of recounting votes and ensuring that
results are accurate. If preferred,
officials can compare the vote totals in the three separate vote storage locations
to ensure they match.
Q: How do I know my votes are private and that there
is not a database in the computer somewhere that records how I have voted?
A: There is no way for the system to
tie your vote to you. When you vote,
there is no identifying information recorded with your vote.
You will be given a randomly generated four-digit access code tied that tells
the eSlate which ballot races you should receive based on your precinct number.
But the access code is not associated
with your name. Therefore, it is impossible
to trace your vote.
Q: What if I change my mind or make a mistake after
I have pressed the ENTER button?
A:
A voter can change any vote at
any time until the CAST BALLOT button is
pressed and you see the American flag waving on the screen.
To change a vote, just use the wheel to highlight the candidate you want
to vote for and then press the ENTER button.
The earlier vote is erased, and the
new vote is recorded. But do not press
CAST BALLOT until you have finished voting
the entire ballot.
Q: What if I want to skip a contest?
A: Then you may do so.
It is your decision and right to choose not to vote in any race. Just use
the wheel to scroll past the race you want to skip.
After you have voted in the last contest on the ballot, a ballot summary
screen will appear listing all the choices you have made and will let you know if
you missed voting in any race. You will see a list of the votes you have cast, and
any skipped races will be noted with No Selection
highlighted in red. You can either
go back and vote in the skipped race, or press the CAST
BALLOT button to submit your ballot with no votes for the races in
which you intend no vote.
Q: What if I accidentally vote twice in a race? Will my vote be discarded?
A: The system will not let you vote
twice unless the contest is a “vote for two.”
It is programmed to prevent “overvoting,” the term for when someone accidentally
selects more than the permitted
number of votes in a race.
If you change your mind and select a different choice, the system automatically
removes your former selection and marks your new one.
If you want to erase your vote and make no other selection, just highlight
your current selection and press ENTER to
de-select that choice.
Q: How do I know that my vote has been cast and counted?
A: Whenever a voter presses the CAST BALLOT button and the waving American flag
appears, the vote is cast and counted.
Q: If the power fails or if there is some other computer
failure will my vote be lost?
A: No. Your vote cannot be lost once you have pressed CAST
BALLOT and see the waving American flag.
Your votes are stored in three separate places with non-volatile memory,
and all data is protected and cannot be lost in the unlikely event that the system
fails. The system also has a battery back-up that immediately engages if an electrical
failure should occur. The batteries
last for 18 hours of continuous use.
eSlate is a trademark of Hart InterCivic, Inc.
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