May 24, 2006

Audits confirm accuracy of new accessible voting units

A newly-released audit from the May 16th King County special election reaffirms the security of electronic balloting machines for voters.  A post-election random survey found a perfect match between a sampling of electronic and paper ballots cast. 

68 electronic accessible voting units debuted in the election.  They enabled residents with limited vision to cast secret ballots for the first time ever. As required by state law, auditors reviewed results randomly selected from several of the machines.  They compared hand-counted, voter-verified paper ballots with the electronic results from each voting unit and found the results matched exactly.

Director of Records, Elections and Licensing Services Dean Logan felt this initial rollout of the accessible voting equipment was a success, as evidenced by the audit results and feedback from voters and poll workers, who found the equipment secure, efficient, and easy to use.

“The success of this election was a direct result of changes that came out of the hard lessons of the past few years,” said Logan.  “We’ve instituted intense training for poll workers, mock election testing, and strong community outreach - all aimed at improving the election process.  Those changes, along with input from the disability community and the hard work of election staff and poll workers have helped us improve voting access for all eligible citizens.”

Of the 5,045 poll ballots cast in the May 16 special election, 312 were cast on accessible voting units. Voters overwhelmingly favored voting by mail in the special election – with more than 80 percent of the ballots cast by mail.

The availability of at least one accessible voting device in every polling place was mandated by the Help America Vote Act, which was passed by the United States Congress in 2002.  The Act will eventually ensure voters with disabilities have the opportunity to vote an independent and private ballot.

Quick facts about King County’s accessible voting units:

1. How many accessible voting units did King County purchase? 
King County purchased 200 units and other associated equipment.  King County leaders are considering a change to an all vote-by-mail system, so the county has leased an additional 400 machines for complete deployment in each polling place this fall.  Should King County move to an all vote-by mail system, the purchased accessible voting units will be used at regional voting centers.

2. Why is King County doing this?
Federal law requires an accessible voting unit at every polling place in the country starting in 2006.  King County has 524 polling places. Washington State laws further require counties to ensure blind voters or those with limited vision are provided the opportunity to vote independently.

3. Are the new accessible voting units secure?
Each accessible voting unit used in King County is equipped with a Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).  The VVPAT is a printed version of the ballot choices that the voter registers directly on the screen or with the numerical keypad.  The VVPAT is safeguarded in a sealed security canister and becomes the official ballot in the case of a hand recount.

Prior to the election, each unit is publicly tested and secured.  The entire vote tabulation system must meet both federal and state voting systems standards and must be certified for use by the Secretary of State.

Updated: May 25, 2006

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