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Pre-Election Checklist

To prepare for an election, complete the steps below.

If you saved everything as required in the Election Night Checklist, you can skip the Retain Previous Election Files section and go directly to Remove Previous Election Files.

Retain Previous Election Files

VxAdmin

log in with election manager card
insert USB drive
select Reports from the side menu
select Full Election Tally Report
select Export Report PDF
select Export Report CSV
select Reports from the side menu
select official Write-in Adjudication Report
select Export Report PDF
select Settings from the side menu
select Save Logs
select eject USB
remove and securely store USB drive
lock VxAdmin

VxScan

setup the VxScan, without the ballot box
log in with election manager card
select CVRs and Logs from the side menu
insert a USB drive
select Save CVRs
select Save Logs
select eject USB
remove and securely store USB drive

Remove Previous Election Files

VxAdmin

log in with system administrator card
select Election from the side menu
select Unconfigure Machine

VxScan

log in with election manager card
select Unconfigure Machine

Configure VxAdmin

set up VxAdmin
log in with system administrator card
insert USB drive containing the election package
select the file name of the correct election package
verify the title and date of election are correct
select eject USB
remove and securely store USB drive
select Settings from the side menu and verify the current time and date are correct

Create Election Manager & Poll Worker Cards

log in with system administrator card
select Smart Cards from the side menu
insert card to program into the card reader (unprogram if necessary)
select the correct button for the card you are programming
for election manager cards, record the PIN and keep it secure
repeat for all cards you need to program
lock VxAdmin (skip if continuing to the next section)
securely store all cards

Format USB Drives

log in with system administrator card
insert a USB drive
select Settings from the side menu and select Format USB
confirm you want to format the USB drive by selecting Format USB
repeat for all USB drives you need to format
lock VxAdmin
securely store system andministrator card

Save Election Package

log in with election manager card
select Election from the side menu in VxAdmin
select Save Election Package
insert USB drive when prompted
select Save
select Eject USB
after VxAdmin confirms USB ejection, it is safe to remove the USB drive

Configure VxScan

log in with election manager card
insert USB drive with the election package from VxAdmin
select the precinct the VxScan will be assigned to (if applicable)
verify the title and date of election are correct
remove election manager card
repeat on each VxScan

Updated on February 27, 2025.

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Pre-Election Checklist

To prepare for an election, complete the steps below.

If you saved everything as required in the Election Night Checklist, you can skip the Retain Previous Election Files section and go directly to Remove Previous Election Files.

Retain Previous Election Files

VxAdmin

log in with election manager card
insert USB drive
select Reports from the side menu
select Full Election Tally Report
select Export Report PDF
select Export Report CSV
select Reports from the side menu
select official Write-in Adjudication Report
select Export Report PDF
select Settings from the side menu
select Save Logs
select eject USB
remove and securely store USB drive
lock VxAdmin

VxScan

setup the VxScan, without the ballot box
log in with election manager card
select CVRs and Logs from the side menu
insert a USB drive
select Save CVRs
select Save Logs
select eject USB
remove and securely store USB drive

Remove Previous Election Files

VxAdmin

log in with system administrator card
select Election from the side menu
select Unconfigure Machine

VxScan

log in with election manager card
select Unconfigure Machine

Configure VxAdmin

set up VxAdmin
log in with system administrator card
insert USB drive containing the election package
select the file name of the correct election package
verify the title and date of election are correct
select eject USB
remove and securely store USB drive
select Settings from the side menu and verify the current time and date are correct

Create Election Manager & Poll Worker Cards

log in with system administrator card
select Smart Cards from the side menu
insert card to program into the card reader (unprogram if necessary)
select the correct button for the card you are programming
for election manager cards, record the PIN and keep it secure
repeat for all cards you need to program
lock VxAdmin (skip if continuing to the next section)
securely store all cards

Format USB Drives

log in with system administrator card
insert a USB drive
select Settings from the side menu and select Format USB
confirm you want to format the USB drive by selecting Format USB
repeat for all USB drives you need to format
lock VxAdmin
securely store system andministrator card

Save Election Package

log in with election manager card
select Election from the side menu in VxAdmin
select Save Election Package
insert USB drive when prompted
select Save
select Eject USB
after VxAdmin confirms USB ejection, it is safe to remove the USB drive

Configure VxScan

log in with election manager card
insert USB drive with the election package from VxAdmin
select the precinct the VxScan will be assigned to (if applicable)
verify the title and date of election are correct
remove election manager card
repeat on each VxScan

Updated on February 27, 2025.