# Opening Polls

### Opening Polls on VxScan

After VxScan is plugged in, the Polls Closed screen will show.

<figure><img src="https://3689992367-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FD1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l%2Fuploads%2FGswCzzHjf9ThHi8RVs7j%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5f14c22b-492e-474e-a8f8-ec3beda41119" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
If there is an orange banner that says "Test Ballot Mode" on the screen, contact your election administrator immediately to prepare the machine for the election.
{% endhint %}

To open the polls:

* [ ] open the interior panel and insert the Poll Worker Card into the card reader
* [ ] select *`Yes, Open the Polls`*

<div><figure><img src="https://3689992367-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FD1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l%2Fuploads%2FvDifr8TS6WbI9p1Y65J1%2Fvxscan%20insert%20poll%20worker%20card.png?alt=media&#x26;token=35287845-9fdd-4032-ab58-fd7d31914b5a" alt="" width="198"><figcaption><p>insert Poll Worker Card</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://3689992367-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FD1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l%2Fuploads%2FB39Xw6JMcIJOrfYEYSEz%2FVxscan%20yes%20open%20polls.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ec680cc6-54fe-4a01-8b34-869ed69e37de" alt="" width="358"><figcaption><p>select Yes, Open the Polls</p></figcaption></figure></div>

* [ ] insert a piece of thermal paper into the back of the printer (one copy of the Polls Opened Report will print)
* [ ] select *`Print Additional Polls Opened Report`* to print more reports as necessary

<div><figure><img src="https://3689992367-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FD1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l%2Fuploads%2FlLrNncv1qg6Duh39igQM%2Fvxscan%20insert%20paper.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ba0ecb1d-7655-4eed-ab35-070b4a364988" alt=""><figcaption><p>insert thermal paper</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://3689992367-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FD1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l%2Fuploads%2FbVoP7ht5ZoZkpggu9iyB%2Fvxscan%20print%20additional%20polls%20opened%20report.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6b96f03e-7998-4140-993e-2bd824ec310d" alt=""><figcaption><p>select Print Additional Polls Opened Report to print more reports</p></figcaption></figure></div>

* [ ] remove the Poll Worker Card from VxScan

##

The polls are now open. The number of ballots scanned should be zero. Verify the precinct name and election date are correct in the bottom left corner.

<figure><img src="https://3689992367-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FD1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l%2Fuploads%2FLkYkyztGQ6NihdSVHB33%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0c505ba1-b42d-4b5e-ab5d-5400f3eae295" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

##

Below is an example of the Polls Opened Report. All contest totals should be zero when polls are opened.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/D1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l/blobs/RpzKAMlDb8Q5j18l2UWJ/image.png" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Prepare VxScan for Voting

* [ ] close the interior panel
* [ ] seal and document the panel as required

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/D1Q1RPHT4tkPuKCBW89l/blobs/CTgrK9aL7KabCrIwCiaO/image.png" alt="" width="188"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The polls are now ready for voters.

{% hint style="danger" %}
The interior panel should remain sealed and secure at all times unless a poll worker requires access. Any unauthorized access should be reported to an election administrator immediately.
{% endhint %}