Poll Worker (Election Day) Checklist

VxScan Setup

Set up the ballot box:

• release the straps on each side

• secure the straps on the underside of the lid

• pull the box open

• gently push the purple hooks down with your foot

• close the lid, pushing until you hear a click

• seal the ballot box as required

Set up the scanner (black pelican case):

• place the case on top of the ballot box by lining up the bottom with the opening on the ballot box and sliding the case back

• remove and document the scanner case seal

• push the button to release and open each latch to open the lid of the case

• open the poll worker door (upper left corner)

• push the purple security bolt down to secure the case to the ballot box

• close the poll worker door, seal and document as required

• remove the power cord from its storage place on the back

• plug the power cord into the case

• plug the power cord into the UPS power backup

• plug UPS power backup into an outlet

• turn the UPS power backup on by holding the power button for 3 seconds

Open Polls

• insert the poll worker card

• select Open Polls

• one copy of the polls opened report will print

• tear to remove the report

• select Reprint Polls Opened Report to print more, if needed

• verify precinct name, election date, and totals are zero

• sign, retain and/or display the polls opened report as instructed by your election administrator

• remove the poll worker card

Assisting Voters

Helping a voter cast their ballot at VxScan

• instruct the voter to insert their ballot in any orientation

• if ballot scans successfully, let the voter know their vote has been cast

• if ballot does not scan successfully, help the voter understand the issues with their ballot specified on the screen.

Close Polls

• insert the poll worker card

• select Close Polls

• one copy of the polls closed report will print

• tear to remove the report

• select Reprint Polls Closed Report to print more if needed

• retain and/or display the polls closed report as instructed by your election administrator

• remove the poll worker card

• log in with the election manager card

• select CVRs and Logs from the side menu

• select Save Logs, select Default and Save

• remove Election Manager Card

• unseal and document the poll worker door seal as required

• open the poll worker door

• remove the USB drive and take to the VxAdmin (laptop in orange pelican case)

Single polling place jurisdictions may want to skip to the Election Night Checklist at this time to verify CVRs were properly saved before packing up equipment

Packing Up VxScan

Pack up the scanner:

• insert the poll worker card and select Power Down to turn VxScan off

• once the screen has turned off, remove poll worker card from VxScan

• remove the power cord from VxScan

• remove the power cord from the UPS

• wrap the power cord in its storage location

• 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

• close the case lid and latch

• seal and document the case seal(s) as required

• pull the case forward and lift the case off of the ballot box

Pack up the ballot box:

• unseal the ballot box door

• unseal the ballot box

• remove all ballots from the ballot box and seal into a secure container, recording the seal number as required

• press the latch on the lid to release the lid and lift the lid over to the side

• fully collapse the ballot by gently using your foot to lift the bottom purple hooks

• turn off and store the UPS power backup - hold power button for 5 seconds

Last updated January 23, 2026.