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CALIFORNIA VOTING SYSTEMS HOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF VOTING SYSTEMS WORK The Secretary of State certifies voting systems for use. Each county then chooses which certified system they want to use. There are currently three different types of voting systems used in California elections. Optical Scan This is a system similar to the standardized tests given in school. To cast a ballot, the voter:
- Signs in at the polls and receives a paper ballot along with an approved marking device.
- Marks the appropriate position on the ballot. The names of the candidates may be printed on the actual ballot or on a sheet alongside the ballot. After making his or her selections, reviews the ballot and then places the ballot in a secrecy envelope or folder.
- Returns his or her ballot to the poll worker. The ballot is then counted by an optical scanning machine, either at the polling place or at a central location.
Touchscreen/DRE Touchscreen, or direct recording electronic, systems are the newest type of voting systems in California. Rather than marking a piece of paper, the voter casts his or her ballot electronically.
To cast a ballot, the voter:
- Signs in at the polls.
- Either individually or with the aid of a poll worker activates the machine.
- Marks the ballot by touching a screen or using a keyboard style interface.
- After making his or her selections, a review screen will appear allowing them to verify his or her choices.
- Casts his or her ballot.
Datavote Datavote is a punch card voting system, but differs in at least two ways from "chad" producing punch card systems. First, the names of the candidates are printed on the ballots. Second, the system uses a lever punch to prevent chads. To cast a ballot, the voter:
- Signs in at the polls and receives a paper ballot.
- Inserts the ballot into the tray and under the clear plastic cover from the left side of machine.
- Marks the ballot by moving the punch lever next to each of his or her selections and completely depresses the lever to punch out a cross (+).
- After making his or her selections, reviews the ballot and then places the ballot in a secrecy envelope.
- Returns his or her ballot to the poll worker.
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SECURITY MEASURES FOR TOUCHSCREEN/DRE VOTING SYSTEMS
In response to concerns about the security of touchscreen/DRE voting systems, the Secretary of State's office has required these systems to meet 23 additional security measures before these systems can be used in the November election.
These additional security measures require:
- That every voter be given the option of casting a paper ballot. If you would prefer to use a paper ballot instead of a touchscreen/DRE, you may request one when you sign in at the polls.
- That the system's source code must be made available for analysis by independent experts.
- That no telephone, wireless, or Internet connections are permitted on the machines.
- That the county engage in a comprehensive poll worker training program.
You can get more information about these security measures on the Internet at
www.MyVoteCounts.org or by calling 1-800-345-VOTE.
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VOTING SYSTEMS USED BY COUNTY
| County |
Type of System |
County |
Type of System |
| Alameda |
Touchscreen/DRE |
Orange |
DRE |
| Alpine |
Datavote |
Placer |
Optical Scan |
| Amador |
Optical Scan |
Plumas |
Touchscreen/DRE |
| Butte |
Optical Scan |
Riverside |
Touchscreen/DRE |
| Calaveras |
Datavote |
Sacramento |
Optical Scan |
| Colusa |
Optical Scan |
San Benito |
Datavote |
| Contra Costa |
Optical Scan |
San Bernardino |
Touchscreen/DRE |
| Del Norte |
Datavote |
San Diego |
Optical Scan |
| El Dorado |
Datavote |
San Francisco |
Optical Scan |
| Fresno |
Optical Scan |
San Joaquin |
Optical Scan |
| Glenn |
Datavote |
San Luis Obispo |
Optical Scan |
| Humboldt |
Optical Scan |
San Mateo |
Optical Scan |
| Imperial |
Datavote |
Santa Barbara |
Optical Scan |
| Inyo |
Datavote |
Santa Clara |
Touchscreen/DRE |
| Kern |
Optical Scan |
Santa Cruz |
Optical Scan |
| Kings |
Optical Scan |
Shasta |
Touchscreen/DRE |
| Lake |
Optical Scan |
Sierra |
Datavote |
| Lassen |
Optical Scan |
Siskiyou |
Optical Scan |
| Los Angeles |
Optical Scan |
Solano |
Optical Scan |
| Madera |
Optical Scan |
Sonoma |
Optical Scan |
| Marin |
Optical Scan |
Stanislaus |
Optical Scan |
| Mariposa |
Optical Scan |
Sutter |
Optical Scan |
| Mendocino |
Optical Scan |
Tehama |
Touchscreen/DRE |
| Merced |
Touchscreen/DRE |
Trinity |
Optical Scan |
| Modoc |
Optical Scan |
Tulare |
Optical Scan |
| Mono |
Optical Scan |
Tuolumne |
Optical Scan |
| Monterey |
Optical Scan |
Ventura |
Datavote |
| Napa |
Touchscreen/DRE |
Yolo |
Datavote |
| Nevada |
Optical Scan |
Yuba |
Datavote |
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MORE INFORMATION ON VOTING SYSTEMS
These are the voting systems used at polling places. A different voting system may be used for absentee voting.
Counties using touchscreen/DRE systems are required to have paper ballots available upon request.
You can get more information about how to use the specific voting system used in your county on the Internet at www.MyVoteCounts.org, or by calling 1-800-345-VOTE or from your local county elections official.
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