Poll Worker (Election Day) Checklist

VxScan Setup

Set up the ballot box:

• place ballot box upright with wheels on the ground

• press the silver press buttons on each side (four total) in

• push the bars on each side into place

• pull the lid up

• rest the top on the side rail

• zip the top

• seal and document the top as required

• confirm ballot box is empty

• seal or lock the ballot box door as required

• lock the wheels

Set up the scanner:

• 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(s)

• 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 and 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

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

• 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

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 the power cord from VxScan

• remove the power cord from the UPS or outlet

• 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 and/or unlock the ballot box door

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

• unseal and unzip the top

• lower the top into box

• press the silver press buttons on each side (four total) in and raise the bottom bars and lower the top bars

• press box closed until sides lock

• turn off and store the UPS power backup

Last updated August 13, 2025.