Complete all steps in the Pre-Election Setup Checklist prior to L&A Testing.
set up VxScan
verify the security seal numbers and that they are intact
log in with election manager card
insert a formatted USB drive (you may have done this during configuration)
select More from the side menu and verify the date and time by selecting Set Date and Time
More
Set Date and Time
select Printer from the side menu and follow instructions to load a new roll of thermal paper and print a test report if needed
Printer
select Scanner from the side menu, select Calibrate Double Sheet Detection and follow instructions to calibrate the scanner
Scanner
Calibrate Double Sheet Detection
remove the election manager card
insert the poll worker card
select Open Polls
Open Polls
one copy of the polls opened report will print (this is your Zero Report)
tear to remove the report
select Reprint Polls Opened Report to print more, if needed
Reprint Polls Opened Report
verify precinct name, election date, and totals are zero
remove the poll worker card
run test ballots through the scanner as required
insert poll worker card
select Close Polls
Close Polls
one copy of the polls closed report will print
verify results match expected test ballot results
select Reprint Polls Closed Report to print more
Reprint Polls Closed Report
log in with the election manager card
select CVRs and Logs from side menu
select Save Logs, select Default and Save
Save Logs
Default
Save
select Configuration from side menu
select Official Ballot Mode, confirm by selecting Switch to Official Ballot Mode
Official Ballot Mode
Switch to Official Ballot Mode
verify Sheets Scanned count is 0
remove and securely store USB drive
insert a new formatted USB drive
select More and select Power Down
Power Down
clean the scanning unit
close the scanner and access door
slide the purple release button inside the poll worker door to the left to release the case from the ballot box
close the poll worker door
unplug the power cord from VxScan and the outlet
insert the power cord into it's storage location
close, seal, and document the VxScan case as required
set up VxAdmin
set up printer
select Tally from the side menu and verify there are no CVRs or manual tallies on VxAdmin
select Reports from the side menu
Towns: print an Unofficial Full Election Tally Report as the Zero Report
Unofficial Full Election Tally Report
City Wards: print an Unofficial Single Precinct Tally Report as the Zero Report
Unofficial Single Precinct Tally Report
print additional reports as required
insert the USB drive used for testing your VxScan (repeat for all VxScans)
select Tally from the side menu and select Load CVRs
Load CVRs
select Adjudication from the side menu, select a purple Adjudicate button to start adjudicating write-ins for a contest, continue until all buttons are complete
Adjudicate
add manual tallies (select Tally from the side menu and then Manual Tallies) (when applicable)
Manual Tallies
select the ballot style (town, school, ward, etc.)
select PRECINCT as the Voting Method - You should never choose absentee
enter number of total hand count ballots
enter amounts for each contest - note that each box must be have a number
if no votes were cast for a candidate, enter 0
if no votes were cast in a contest - this is an UNDERVOTE
if more votes were cast than allowed for a contest - this is an OVERVOTE
a green checkmark at the bottom of the screen stating Entered tallies are valid will confirm your counts are correct
select Save & Next
Save & Next
select Reports from the side menu and review, print, and export report as a PDF
Towns: print an Unofficial Full Election Tally Report for the results
City Wards: print an Unofficial Single Precinct Tally Report , selecting your ward, for the results
select Reports from the side menu, review, print, and export an Unnoficial Write-in Adjudication Report
Unnoficial Write-in Adjudication Report
select Reports from side menu, and Mark Election Results as Official in VxAdmin
Mark Election Results as Official
select Reports from the side menu, print and export as a PDF
Towns: print an Official Full Election Tally Report for the results
Official Full Election Tally Report
City Wards: print an Official Single Precinct Tally Report , selecting your ward, for the results
Official Single Precinct Tally Report
select Reports from the side menu, export and print an Official Write-In Adjudication Report as a .pdf
Official Write-In Adjudication Report
select Settings from the side menu
select Save Logs (keep the default and click Save)
select Tally from the side menu
select Remove All Tallies
Remove All Tallies
verify there are no CVRs on VxAdmin
power down the VxAdmin
remove and secure the USB drive as required
pack up VxAdmin
close, seal, and document the VxAdmin case as required
Last updated January 28, 2026.
Last updated 3 days ago
