This guide walks you through the complete process to set up, test, and operate on election day.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the VotingWorks team by emailing [email protected] or calling (510) 426-9991.

System Overview

VotingWorks consists of two subsystems:

1. Central System: all the equipment necessary for use at election central for on-demand ballot printing, election programming, central batch ballot scanning, and results tabulation.

2. Precinct System: all equipment necessary for use at the precinct to scan hand-marked ballots and provide an accessible ballot marking device for voters unable to hand mark paper ballots.

Central System

VotingWorks Central System includes two products:

1. VxAdmin: the main tool for local election administrators, which programs elections, prints ballots, and tabulates results on election night.

2. VxCentralScan: a central scanner used for rapidly scanning absentee ballots on election night.

Precinct System

VotingWorks Precinct System consists of two portable, self-contained products:

1. VxMark: an accessible ballot marking device and attached printer that produces a voter-verifiable paper ballot.

2. VxScan: a voter-facing precinct scanner that scans paper ballots and notifies voters of ballot issues for second-chance voting.

Voters at the precinct vote on hand-marked paper ballots with the ability to vote on a VxMark if requested. After marking ballots, all voters scan their ballots using VxScan.

Paper Ballots

All votes cast using VotingWorks are on paper ballots for security and post-election auditing.

There are two types of VotingWorks paper ballots:

• Hand-marked paper ballot

  • All absentee voters will receive a hand-marked paper ballot that is printed on-demand. Absentee ballots are scanned by election administrators using a high-speed central scanner (VxCentralScan).

  • Most in-precinct voters will receive a hand-marked paper ballot that is printed in-bulk or on-demand. Precinct ballots are scanned by voters using a precinct scanner (VxScan).

Hardware Overview

VxAdmin is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) laptop pre-installed with VotingWorks software and an HP printer. All USB drives, cords, adapters, and programmable smartcards needed to operate the system are included and stored in an orange case.

VxAdmin Setup

VxAdmin can be set up through the following steps:

1. Unbox and Setup Printer:

   • remove the printer and power cord from the case

   • plug the power cord into the back of the printer

2. Setup VxAdmin laptop:

• open the case by lifting the latches on the front

• prepare the components:

  • remove the laptop

  • pull the power cord (a) out and plug into the laptop and an outlet

VxAdmin hardware setup is complete.

Configuring VxMark requires an Election Manager Card - see Smartcards for information on how to program Election Manager Cards for your election.

Turn the VxMark on. VxMark is Not Configured will be displayed on the screen.

Insert your Election Manager Card into the card reader and select Load Election Definition.

When complete, the Election Manager Actions screen will be displayed. Select the precinct drop-down menu and select the precinct the VxMark will be used in.

Your VxMark is now configured. The VxMark will be in Testing Mode. In Testing Mode, the VxMark will operate exactly as it does in Live Election Mode except:

• All ballots printed will be test ballots that cannot be tabulated alongside live ballots

• The starting screen and the Election Manager Actions screen will indicate Testing Mode in an orange box

Remove the Election Manager Card and your VxMark is ready for L&A testing.

Remove Election

To remove a ballot package and reset VxMark:

1. Insert an Election Manager Card

2. Select Unconfigure Machine.

You can now re-configure VxMark with a different ballot package.

VxAdmin has a demo election definition built in to provide election administrators an election that is more practice and demonstration friendly. Use the demo election to:

• practice various Election Manager functions

• provide poll workers with a training election

• provide voters an opportunity to try the equipment before Election Day.

To configure VxAdmin with the demo election, select Load Demo Election Definition from the Configure VxAdmin screen.

From the Ballots tab, you can view the contests and candidates on the demo election. Follow all other VxSuite procedures to use this election for practice and demonstration purposes.

If reusing a USB drive from a previous election, follow these steps to reformat the drive. Reformatting clears all data from the drive.

Using a System Administrator card in VxAdmin, select Settings.

Make sure the USB drive is plugged into VxAdmin and select Format USB Drive.

Select Format USB drive to format the drive and clear all data.

Save Ballot Package

To configure VxCentralScan and VxScan you must first save the ballot package from VxAdmin to a USB drive. Navigate to the Ballots tab in VxAdmin and select Save Ballot Package.

You will be prompted to insert a USB drive. Once you insert a USB drive, the screen updates and prompts you to save the ballot package. Select Save.

VxAdmin will generate the ballot package of all ballot styles, saving it automatically on the USB drive. You don't need to worry about the exact file location, but if you do want to look for it later, the file will be saved inside the ballot-packages folder.

Once the file is saved, VxAdmin prompts you to eject the USB drive. Select Eject USB.

After a few seconds, it is safe to remove the USB drive.

VxAdmin

Using a System Administrator card in VxAdmin, select Settings.

The time VxAdmin is set to is displayed under current date and time. The time is automatically updated for Daylight Savings Time. If the date or time needs to be updated, select the button with the date and time. Update the date and time and select

Unlocking

VxAdmin and VxCentralScan require users to use an Election Manager Card and a security code to login. Both machines have a smartcard reader as shown below.

Both machines will display Machine Locked when turned on. To unlock the machine, insert your Election Manager Card into the attached card reader.

Save Ballot Package

To configure VxCentralScan, you must first from VxAdmin to a USB drive.

Once VxAdmin is configured, review the election definition and proof ballots.

First, in the Definition tab, review the Election Metadata.

Then review each contest's data by selecting a contest button. Carefully review the contest to ensure all of the candidates are included, their party labels are correct (if applicable), and their names are spelled correctly.

After each contest's information has been reviewed, take some time to review the ballot samples.

All ballot samples are found in the Ballots tab. The list may be sorted by

Hardware Overview

VxCentralScan is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) laptop pre-installed with VxCentralScan software pre-installed and a Fujitsu scanner stored in tan cases.

Overview

Smartcards are used to configure and operate equipment. It's the same technology as the chip in your credit card, but is instead used to enable election administrators and poll workers to configure and operate the equipment. There are three types of cards: System Administrator, Election Manager, and Poll Worker Cards.

To print, view, or save ballots, use an Election Manager card to access VxAdmin. All ballot styles are found in the Ballots tab.

Print or Save a Ballot

Select three options before printing a ballot:

For each election, you will configure VxAdmin by loading your election definition file. VxAdmin is compatible with multiple types of election definition files including Mississippi’s State Election Management System (SEMS) format.

Download SEMS Files

Before creating an election, you'll need to download two files from SEMS (be sure to complete the SEMS Generate Ballot Styles step first):

VxScan is programmed to intuitively explain to a voter or poll worker problems that may occur with a ballot or the VxScan. The following is a list of potential error messages and the actions a voter or a poll worker should take to remedy the error.

At the end of the voting period, use the following guides to close the polls, print the results, and pack up the equipment:

Before you configure VxScan, you must setup the machine. Follow the steps in the Poll Worker VxScan Setup Guide.

To configure VxScan, you must do two things:

1. Save the ballot package to a USB drive.

2. Create an Election Manager Card.

Loading The Ballot Package

An unconfigured machine will prompt you to insert a USB drive with the election's ballot package.

After you insert the USB drive, VxScan will automatically begin loading all ballot styles for the election.

If the USB drive contains multiple ballot packages, VxScan will use the most recent.

After the ballot package is done loading, the Polls Closed screen will display in Testing Mode.

Setting Precinct

Once configured, VxScan will be setup for All Precincts, which means that it will accept and tabulate ballots from all precincts. If you are using VxScan to service a vote center or otherwise have more than one precinct's voters casting ballots at a single location, then you may want to leave VxScan set to All Precincts.

In most cases, you will set VxScan to only accept ballots for one precinct. In order to do so, you will need the Election Manager Card configured for the current election. To select the precinct, insert the Election Manager Card into the card reader and select the precinct dropdown to open a list of all precincts.

Select a precinct in the dropdown list.

Your chosen precinct will appear on the precinct button and in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.

Setting Mode

Use the toggle button to switch between Testing Mode and Live Election Mode. You will want to put the machine in Testing Mode before Logic and Accuracy Testing and return it to Live Election Mode after Logic and Accuracy Testing and before Election Day.

Calibrating the Scanner

Before each election you must calibrate the VxScan's sensors to ensure the scanner accurately identifies marks. It may be easiest to incorporate calibration into Logic and Accuracy Testing. Calibration requires a sheet of blank paper of the same type as your ballots.

Select Calibrate Scanner on the admin screen to start the calibration process.

VxScan will prompt you to insert a blank piece of paper. Insert a piece of blank paper. The scanner will grip the paper and an option to Calibrate will appear. Select Calibrate and VxScan will slowly process the piece of paper.

After calibration is complete, retrieve the blank piece of paper from inside the ballot bag. If you are calibrating during Logic and Accuracy Testing, you may choose to leave the paper in until you retrieve all testing materials and confirm the ballot bag is empty at the end of testing.

Remove Election

To remove a ballot package and reset VxScan:

1. Insert an Election Manager Card

2. Select Delete All Election Data from VxScan.

Confirm your selection by selecting Yes, Delete All.

You can now re-configure VxScan with a different ballot package.

There are two main pieces of equipment that you will set up at your polling place:

• VxScan: a scanner where voters will cast their ballots and precinct results will be tabulated

• VxMark: an accessible ballot-marking device (a.k.a. voting machine) where voters can vote on a touchscreen and print their ballot. The VxMark's connected printer will also be used to print polls open and polls closed reports

Use the following guides to set up the equipment before you open polls:

Use the following guide when you want to open polls to allow voting to begin:

The VxCentralScan Checklist should be run for each VxCentralScan station. If your VxCentralScan is not yet set up or configured, see and .

• Recombine L&A Package test ballots from each precinct into one batch of ballots (you may also print new test ballots - if that is easier)

You've already printed test decks, scanned them, and saved their results as CVR files. In this final step, we combine all the CVR files from VxScan and VxCentralScan to confirm the results are correct.

For every USB drive:

• Insert USB drive with the CVR file

Closing Polls on VxScan

To close the polls on VxScan, a poll worker must insert their Poll Worker Card into the card reader. The card must be facing away from the screen. Select Close Polls for [Precinct Name].

A Close Polls Report is saved to the Poll Worker Card which includes the number of ballots scanned and the tabulated results of those ballots. Take the Poll Worker Card to VxMark to print.

Opening Polls on VxScan

After VxScan is initially turned on, it will show the Polls Closed screen.

This checklist needs to be run only once for the entire jurisdiction. Its purpose is to print materials used for later stages of L&A.

• Turn on VxAdmin and printer (model m404dn)

Processing Late Ballots

• In VxCentralScan, scan late absentee and affidavit ballots

Logic & accuracy testing (L&A) is meant to ensure that every component of the voting system is operating as expected and has been configured properly for a specific election.

To perform logic & accuracy testing, you will need all the election equipment that you will or might use in the upcoming election, including peripherals like printers and scanners.

The length and complexity of L&A depends on how many different components of VotingWorks you are using. If you are only using VxAdmin and VxCentralScan, use the shorter If you're using precinct equipment (VxMark or VxScan), use the .

When you are ready to certify election results, you can mark VxAdmin results as Official to print official results.

To mark as official, navigate to the Reports tab and select Unofficial Full Election Tally Report.

Print Zero Report

Before starting the testing process, confirm VxAdmin does not have CVRs loaded. Go to the Reports tab and review the ballot counts. They should all be zero. To print a confirmed zero report, select Unofficial Full Election Tally.

Print L&A Package

To print the remaining test materials, select the L&A tab and then select List Precinct L&A Packages.

Print Packages for All Precinctsor for a specific precinct.

Each L&A Package will print:

• Precinct Tally Report (expected results of the precinct)

• Pre-voted VxMark test ballots

• Pre-voted hand-marked test ballots

Print Full Test Deck Tally Report

The Full Test Deck Tally Report is the results we expect after scanning all test decks through all systems (VxScan and VxCentralScan). To print the Full Test Deck Tally Report, go to the L&A tab and select Print Full Test Deck Tally Report.

After printing, you can set aside the results report until test deck tabulation.

Last Steps

Verify all of the items above printed for each precinct.

Pack up VxScan through the following steps:

1. Pack up all components:

   • turn the power off

   • lower the screen

   • unplug power cord and place in lid pocket

   • remove feeder tray and place on top of ballot container

2. Seal the container and record the seal number:

• close ballot entry flap

• close top

• seal ballot entry flap and top zippers together

Record the seal number on the Equipment Seals Log and store or return the equipment according to your election administrator's directions.

Remove CVR Files from VxAdmin

To finish L&A, select Remove CVR Files to clear VxAdmin of CVRs in preparation for election day. Confirm by selecting Remove CVR Files in the popup confirmation screen.

Toggle VxCentralScan to Live Mode

After you have removed CVR files from VxAdmin, you'll also need to change VxCentralScan from Test mode to Live mode. To change modes, select Admin and then Toggle to Live Mode.

Toggle VxMark to Live Mode

Insert the Election Manager Card into VxMark to show the Admin Screen, and select Live Election Mode.

Remove the Election Manager Card, and confirm that the VxMark is in live mode by ensuring there is no orange Test Mode banner and Polls Closed is displayed.

Toggle VxScan to Live Mode

Insert the Election Manager Card into VxScan to show the Administrator Settings Screen, and select Live Election Mode.

Remove the Election Manager Card, and confirm that the VxScan is in live mode by ensuring there is no orange Test Mode banner and Polls Closed is displayed.

Each VxMark unit is configured to a particular precinct. The Ballot Style Checklist should be run for every ballot style that is available at the precinct for which the VxMark unit is configured. This is a checklist of the main Precinct Checklist.

• Confirm all expected contests appear in the correct order

• Confirm all candidate names appear and are spelled correctly

• Confirm each candidate / choice can be selected and deselected

• Confirm the review screen lists all contests

• At the review screen, for each contest

  • select Change, leave blank, select Review, confirming the contest is left blank

  • select

• Select I'm Ready to Print My Ballot, and confirm the ballot prints

• Confirm the printed ballot includes the selections made on screen (write down the selections from your review screen on this checklist to make this easier)

Before scanning each test deck, confirm that the election information in the footer is correct.

If VxCentralScan is not already configured, please follow the instructions to configure VxCentralScan for the election.

Toggle Test Mode

All test deck scanning must be performed in test mode. If VxCentralScan is not already in test mode, change the mode. To change mode, select Adminat the top right of the screen.

Select Toggle to Test Mode. Changing modes zeros out all existing scans in the previous mode.

Once in test mode, confirm the Machine is in Testing Mode is shown at the top of the screen and No ballots have been scanned is displayed.

Scan Test Deck

Before scanning, take at least one ballot from the test deck and flip it upside down, then replace on the stack. Next, take at least one ballot from the test deck and flip it back to front, then replace on the stack.

Load the stack of ballots into the feeder tray of the scanner. VotingWorks recommends loading no more than 50 ballot sheets at at time.

From VxCentralScan, select Scan New Batch. Ballots feed through the scanner automatically and the number of ballots scanned will increase as each ballot is scanned under Ballot Count. A timestamp will appear under the Finished At header when a batch is done scanning. Repeat the scanning process until all ballots are scanned.

Next, scan the additional test ballots created. One is blank and one should be marked with an overvote. Verify the scanner requests each before proceeding.

Once finished scanning, confirm that the ballot count listed onscreen matches the number of ballot sheets in the test deck.

Save Cast Vote Records

To save the Cast Vote Record (CVR) of scanned results, select Save CVRs in the top right.

A prompt will appear prompting you to insert a USB drive. Once you do, the USB drive is detected in a few seconds, and saving can be done automatically by selecting Save. Once the CVR file has been saved to the USB drive, select Eject USB. When complete, the CVRs Saved screen will prompt you to close and eject the USB drive.

The following is the master checklist to use for L&A when using VxMarks and VxScans. If you are not using VxMark and VxScan, then you should use the simpler Central System Checklist.

• VxAdmin Checklist - Part 1

• for each precinct (VxScan + VxMark)

  • for each ballot style on VxMark

• Backup Machine Testing

  • for each backup set (VxScan + VxMark)

    • VxScan and VxMark should be configured for "All Precincts"

Tallying CVRs

All tabulation functionality in VxAdmin is available within the Tally tab. Select the Tally tab and then select Load CVR Files.

To tally results, each USB drive from the precincts and VxCentralScan must be loaded. One at a time, insert the USB drives. A dialog box will pop up and show you each CVR file saved on the USB drive. Select Load next to the file (live election, correct number of ballots, correct time) you'd like to load.

When loaded, confirm that the presented file name, CVR count, and precinct(s) are as expected. Load CVR files from all of your scanners, VxScan and VxCentralScan. To review the ballot count by precinct and view any unofficial tally reports desired, go to the Reports tab.

After loading your CVR file(s), go to the Reports tab and select Unofficial Full Election Tally Report.

A preview of the report will be on screen. Select Print Report to print the report or Save Report as PDF to save the election tally to a USB drive.

The printed report should look like the image below with the election name and the VotingWorks logo.

Separating Absentee from Precinct

You can also print a tabulation report of just the precinct ballots, or just the absentee ballots under Tally Report by Voting Method.

Full Results File

A results file may also be saved that contains all of the vote totals separated by contest, candidate, precinct, and vote type in a .csv file format. This allows for custom report creation and/or additional analysis of the election data. To save the results in .csv format, go to the Reports tab and select Save Results.

The .cvs file can be opened in any spreadsheet software program and will display the following information. The ID fields (Contest, Selection, etc.) are internal identification numbers.

Pack up VxMark through the following steps:

1. Unplug and store printer:

   • press the power button to turn the printer off

Save Results for SEMS

The following should be repeated for each USB drive and CVR file saved from VxScan and VxCentralScan.

Load CVRs

First select the Tally tab and then select Load CVR Files.

You may receive properly post-marked absentee ballots for five days after election day that need to be counted. To add these ballots to unofficial results:

1. Scan late-received ballots on VxCentralScan, preserving the election-night scans

2. Save the CVRs, including both election-night and late-received.

Information about power, the printer, and accessible controller can be viewed in the System Diagnostics screen of the VxMark. To navigate to the System Diagnostics screen, insert a Poll Worker Card and select View Other Actions.

Next, select System Diagnostics.

The following information will be displayed on the screen. It provides details on each component of the VxMark, allowing for easy troubleshooting.

Hardware Overview

VxMark is in a self-contained black case and the HP printer is inside a gray rolling case.

VxMark Setup

The VxMark should be set up on a different table than the VxScan, in a place that provides a voter using the device privacy to vote and print a ballot. VxMark can be set up through the following steps:

1. Unbox and setup printer:

   • remove the printer and power cord from the case

   • place the printer on the side of the table closest to the VxScan's location

2. Setup VxMark:

• open the case by lifting the latches on the sides and front

• prepare the components:

  • pull the accessible controller (a) out from the front-left compartment and set it to the left of the case

  • remove the headphones (b) from the travel pouch on top of the screen and plug them into the accessible controller (a)

• turn the VxMark on: the power button is located to the middle-right of the screen, next to the printer cord. Run your finger along the side of the screen and press the power button firmly for 1 second and then release. The card reader and accessible controller will light up within 3-5 seconds.

• remove the privacy screen from the case top (behind the foam)

• set up the privacy screen

VxMark hardware setup is complete.

On election night, the USB drives will need to be retrieved from the precinct scanners and the ballot boxes secured. The USB drives will be used to tally the results from the precincts.

Open VxScan

VxScan will be returned to election administrators sealed.

Complete the following steps to open VxScan:

• verify seal number from ballot slot and top zippers

• remove and save seal from ballot slot and top zippers

• open top zipper

Remove & Seal Ballot Bag

Next, complete the following steps to remove and seal the ballot bag:

• verify and remove the ballot box flap seals

• remove the ballot box from VxScan

• zip the ballot box flap closed

Remove USB Drive

With the ballot bag removed, you can now open the scanner compartment by lifting the latches on each side.

Find the USB drive in the center and pull it out.

After you have removed the USB drive, make sure you close the metal enclosure and seal VxScan.

HP Printer FAQ

Do we need to install toner?

New printers come with toner installed by default. The display will alert you when the toner level becomes low, at which point please follow HP's instructions to replace it.

The printer displays "Select Language" and won't print. What do I do?

The first time a printer is used or if it is ever reset, it must be configured by responding to the on-screen prompts. You can simply press the "OK" button repeatedly, selecting all the defaults, until it says "Ready."

How do I fix streaks, lines, or otherwise poor print quality?

Print a "Cleaning Page." In order to do so, navigate through the following options on the printer LCD screen:

1. Setup

2. Printer Maintenance

3. Print Quality Tools

Printing the cleaning page will usually clear the printer's rollers of stray ink that is causing print issues.

What if printing a "Cleaning Page" helps, but the issue keeps coming back?

If you are not using the recommended paper, it's possible that the paper you are using is not compatible with the printer. When toner doesn't print properly to a page, it can end up on the rollers where it will cause streaks on later pages. Try printing another cleaning page and then using a .

If you are using a recommended paper, the toner cartridge may be defective and may need to be replaced.

This checklist is for jurisdictions who are using the VotingWorks central system (VxAdmin and VxCentralScan) without the precinct system (VxMark or VxScan). It only needs to be run once per election. If you are using any precinct equipment, skip to the next section. Links after each section point to articles with more details on the individual steps.

VxAdmin - Part 1

Hardware Overview

VxScan is in a tamper-evident blue container that may be rolled like a suitcase. Inside is an additional tamper-evident blue container used to store scanned ballots.

Casting Ballots

VxScan is ready to accept a new ballot whenever it displays Insert Your Ballot Below.

A voter can then push their ballot onto the tray and into the scanner. When a ballot is properly inserted, the scanner will grip the ballot. If a ballot is inserted at an angle, the scanner may push the ballot back into the voter's hands without scanning, the voter should simply re-insert their ballot. VxScan will then scan the ballot by pulling it in and show the following screen.

Retaining Election Files

After certification of an election and before configuring a new election, all election files and data should be saved and configuration files removed from the previous election.

VotingWorks recommends retaining the following files after each election:

VxCentralScan is a central scanning solution that allows you to quickly scan large batches of ballots. If you are using VxScan at your precincts, then you'll use VxCentralScan to scan absentee and affidavit ballots. If you are not using VxScan at your precincts, then you'll use VxCentralScan to scan all ballots.

Follow the VxCentral Scan Hardware Setup instructions to prepare the system for use.

Scan Ballot Batches

Before scanning the first ballot batch, confirm that VxCentralScan displays No ballots have been scanned. If not, go to the Admin menu and select Delete Ballot Data to clear the scanner.

Load a stack of ballots into the feeder tray of the scanner. VotingWorks recommends loading no more than 50 ballot sheets at time. The ballots need to be in a neat stack, unfolded and lying flat, but ballots can be in any orientation (e.g. upside down or backwards is fine).

Select Scan New Batch. Ballots feed through the scanner automatically and the number of ballots scanned will increase as each ballot is scanned under Ballot Count. A timestamp will appear under the Finished At header when a batch is done scanning.

Once the batch finishes scanning, remove it from the output tray on the scanner and place the next stack of ballots in the feeder tray. Repeat the scanning process until all ballots are scanned.

Adjudicate Ballots

VxCentralScan will stop scanning and present a review screen if scanning cannot be completed due to a blank sheet, overvoted contest, scan mode mismatch, or an otherwise unreadable ballot sheet. The review screen will display an image of the scanned ballot sheet, the reason why scanning was stopped, and confirm that this ballot sheet has not been tabulated yet.

Blank & Overvoted Ballots

Original Ballot Scan

If scanning an original voter-marked ballot, remove the last ballot sheet scanned from the scanner output tray and confirm it matches the ballot sheet displayed onscreen. Once removed, select Remove to Adjudicate and confirm that the Ballot has been removed. Once confirmed, the scanner will resume scanning ballots in the batch.

The example below shows an Overvote detected that is being removed for Resolution Board processing.

The removed ballot should be duplicated and prepared for the Resolution Board. Using a red pen, mark the removed ballot as Original and the duplicated ballot as Duplicate with both ballots numbered consecutively. For example, the first ballot removed should be marked as Original #1 and the ballot used for duplication as Duplicate #1. Place both the original and duplicate ballots in an envelope to provide to the Resolution Board.

The Resolution Board will examine the original ballot and mark the duplicate ballot in a manner consistent with the voter’s intent and applicable laws. When all original ballot batches have been scanned, a final batch containing all the duplicated ballots may be scanned to reincorporate these ballots into the tally.

Duplicate Ballot Scan

If scanning a duplicated ballot prepared by the Resolution Board, first confirm that the reason presented on screen is valid and that the duplicated ballot should be tabulated as such. VotingWorks recommends scanning all duplicated ballots as the last batch on election night.

To tabulate the duplicated ballot, select Tabulate As Is and then Yes, tabulate ballot as is. The duplicated ballot will be recorded with the condition shown on screen and the scanner will continue scanning the remaining ballots in the batch.

The example below shows a Blank Ballot duplicated by the Resolution Board that is being tabulated as a blank ballot.

Unreadable Ballots

VxCentralScan may show an Unreadable ballot screen for a properly marked ballot if it's unable to decode ballot information due to page skew, dust, or tampering of the ballot. When a ballot sheet is shown as unreadable, you can safely remove the ballot and re-scan the ballot sheet. If the ballot is unreadable on a second scan, you should remove the ballot and prepare a duplicate ballot for the Resolution Board to review.

Mode Mismatch

A mode mismatch error will appear if the scanner mode (Test or Official) does not match the ballot type (Test or Official) and the scanned sheet will not be tabulated. In these cases, you should either remove the ballot from the stack or switch scanner modes.

The example below shows a Live ballot that was scanned in Test mode.

Saving Cast Vote Records (CVRs)

When all ballot batches (including any duplicated ballots) have been scanned, you will need to save the CVRs from VxCentralScan to load into VxAdmin for tabulation.

To save, select Save CVRs in the top right.

You'll be prompted to insert a USB drive. Once recognized, select Save and then Eject USB.

You don't need to worry about filenames. The save process takes care of that.

Once you've selected Eject USB, you'll see a prompt to Close and may remove the USB drive.

If using multiple VxCentralScan stations, repeat for each one.

Save Backup

After saving the CVR, VotingWorks recommends also taking a backup of all data from the VxCentralScan station. To save a backup, navigate to the Admin menu and select Save Backup. Then navigate to the USB drive in the file dialog and save the backup .zip file. The file may take up to a few minutes to save.

Once saved, select Eject USB and remove the USB drive from VxCentralScan.

Ballot Printing in Bulk (From External Printer)

When using a third party printer, VotingWorks recommends printing ballots on paper between 38# Bond (140 GSM) - 65# Cover (177 GSM) for the best voter experience. The commonly available paper weights in this range are:

• 38# Bond (140 GSM)

• 100# Text (140 GSM)

• 40# Bond (150 GSM)

• 60# Cover (162 GSM)

• 90# Index (162 GSM)

• 120# Text (177 GSM)

• 65# Cover (177 GSM)

Ballot Printing On-Demand (In-House)

When printing ballots on-demand using supplied HP printers, VotingWorks suggests printing ballots on 40# Bond (150 GSM) and specifically recommends for use with these printers. Heavier paper is most important for printing of precinct hand-marked paper ballots for an improved voter experience inserting ballots into VxScan and to reduce the rates of paper jams.

The following alternative common off-the-shelf paper weights are suitable for absentee ballot or ballot-marking device ballot printing on-demand:

• 32# Bond (120 GSM)

  • Specific recommendations: ,

• 28# Bond (105 GSM)

Note: printing of paper heavier than 32# Bond (120 GSM) requires use of either the HP454dn printer or Tray 1 on the HP404dn or HP404n printers.

If printing ballots on another computer or printer with the ballot package .pdfs, your Adobe settings must be set to "actual size" under page sizing. Any alteration of page size may effect scanning and tabulation.

Marking Utensils

There is no specific recommendation for a marking utensil but it should be an ink pen that dries quickly. No markers.

Toner Cartridges

The HP printers for both VxMark and VxAdmin use toner cartridge 58. HP offers two sizes:

• - regular size, prints approximately 3000 pages

• - high yield, prints approximately 10000 pages

USB Drive Recommendations and Compatibility

While our system does not require a particular type of USB drive, some USB drives will not work because of how they are formatted. Drives must be in a FAT format.

There are a handful of USB drive models that we have tested and recommend to customers. We selected them because they work with our system, have reputable manufacturers, and can be bought at a reasonable price. You don't need more than 8GB in size, but for most of our recommended models the minimum you can buy is 16GB.

Highly Recommended USB Drives:

• Micro Center SuperSpeed - , (Our Default Option)

• PNY HP v150w -

• Verbatim Pinstripe - ,

Other Recommended USB Drives:

• PNY Attaché 3 - , (Cheapest Option)

• PNY Attaché 4 -

• SanDisk Cruzer -

You can try USB drives that are not on this list, but you must test each model with our equipment before you use it in an election.

Voting Instruction Posters

On election night, you will need the (laptop and scanner) and (laptop and printer).

To prepare for an election, complete the following steps:

• Verify the

Equipment Setup

• VxScan Setup

  • Remove and document seal

  • Open top

  • Plug power cable into power backup

  • Plug power backup into outlet

  • Turn power backup on

  • Lift screen upright

  • Open ballot entry flap

  • Attach ballot entry tray

• • Set up printer

    • Remove printer from case

• Insert Poll Worker Card into VxScan

• Select Open Polls for [Precinct Name]

• Insert Poll Worker Card into VxMark

Helping a voter vote at VxMark

• Insert Poll Worker Card

• Select the appropriate ballot style

• Remove Poll Worker Card

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. Let them know their options which, depending on the issue, may include casting their ballot despite issues, adding marks to their ballot, or receiving a new ballot

• Insert Poll Worker Card into VxScan

• Select Close Polls for [Precinct Name]

• Insert Poll Worker Card into VxMark

Packing Up Equipment

• • Turn off

  • Lower screen

You can find this checklist and guides for the equipment online at https://docs.voting.works/vxsuite/poll-worker-guides

This Precinct Checklist is appropriate for any precinct using both VxMark as an accessible ballot-marking device and VxScan as a precinct scanner. The equipment is best tested together, as they need matching configurations and will be used together at the precinct. At this point in logic and accuracy testing, both and should already be configured.