Voting System
(Updated February 17, 2011)

In compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), Volusia County uses a blended voting system in each polling place consisting of an AccuVote-OS (optical scan) Tabulator and an AccuVote-AVE (accessible voting) Tabulator.  Both types of tabulators provide a verifiable audit trail log to account for every activity performed during an election.

After the polls have closed and the last person has voted, the AccuVote-OS and AccuVote-AVE Tabulators are secured, preventing any further votes from being cast.  The results of the votes cast are printed and transmitted over a secure line to the Department of Elections centralized count system.  A copy of the results for the precinct are posted, and posted at the precinct.

Note:  By Florida Law, all voting shall be by marksense ballot (paper ballot) with the exception of voters having disabilities.

AccuVote-OS Tabulator:
A person using the AccuVote-OS Tabulator is issued a marksense ballot (paper ballot) and directed to a voting booth where they may mark their ballot in privacy.  The voter inserts the ballot into the AccuVote-OS Tabulator which reads, records and stores them in a locked ballot box.

How to vote using a paper ballot

1.  To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice.

2.  Erasing or making other marks, such as a check üor an x may cause the vote not to count. 

3.  If you make a mistake, a new ballot may be requested.  A voter may receive up to two replacement ballots for a total of three ballots.

4.  To vote for a write-in candidate, write the candidate's name on the line provided and fill in the oval next to his/her name.

5.  Review both sides of your ballot before casting your vote. 

Note:  Once a ballot has been deposited into the ballot box, a voter may not receive another, even if they indicate that they made a mistake or failed to mark any part of the ballot.

AccuVote-AVE Tabulator:
The AccuVote-AVE Tabulator allows persons with special needs to vote independently.  A Voter Access Card is inserted into the AccuVote-AVE Tabulator, which will display the ballot on the screen.  Ballots on the AccuVote-AVE Tabulator are voted in two ways. 

1.  Visually, by making selections on the touchscreen.
2.  Audibly, by making selections on a numeric keypad in response to audio prompts heard on headphones.

How to vote using the accessible voting equipment

1.  To vote, touch the screen next to your choice.  Your selection will be highlighted and marked with an X. 

2.  If you make a mistake or wish to change your selection, simply touch the screen next to your choice and it will deselect.  Touch the screen again to make another selection.

3.  To vote for a write-in candidate, touch the box next to the word write-in.  Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the name.  Press "Record Write-In" to record the entry and return to the ballot.

4.  The final page of the ballot is the summary screen.  Before you cast your ballot, review this page to ensure that it is completed to your satisfaction.

5.  If you wish to change your selection in any race, you may touch the box where that race is displayed and it will take you back. 

6.  Once you have finished marking your ballot, press "Cast Ballot" on the summary screen and your votes will be recorded.

Note:  Once a ballot has been cast on the AVE, a voter may not vote again, even if they indicate that they made a mistake or failed to mark any part of the ballot.

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