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.
Before creating an election, you'll need to download two files from SEMS (be sure to complete the SEMS Generate Ballot Styles step first):
On the SEMS home page, select Election Management under Elections
In the Election Management view, select Ballot Styles on the left-hand navigation
In the Ballot Styles view, select Ballot Styles in the top toolbar, then select Export and then Election Details.
In the Export Election Details file dialog, select Browse and point to the USB drive to save the file. Select Export to save the file to the V: drive. The main SEMS file should be named COUNTYID_DATE.txt and the candidate mapping SEMS file should be named COUNTYID_CANDMAP_DATE.txt.
When VxAdmin is not configured, the screen will display Configure VxAdmin.
SEMS files can be loaded to define an election in a self-service fashion. Due to frequent irregularities in SEMS data, however, many customers prefer that VotingWorks check and convert their SEMS files into a VotingWorks election definition file.
You must have the two election details files exported from SEMS saved to a USB drive. Insert the USB drive into the VxAdmin laptop's USB hub. In the top-right of the screen, the text should change from No USB to Eject USB .
Select Convert from SEMS files to open the SEMS file conversion page. Then select SEMS main file.
Next, select the main SEMS file which should be named COUNTYID_DATE.txt. Select Open. ✓ Loaded SEMS main file will display when loaded.
Next, select SEMS candidate mapping file to open the SEMS candidate mapping file. Select the SEMS Candidate Mapping file which should be named COUNTYID_CANDMAP_DATE.txt. Select Open.
Once complete, the Definition tab will display all of the details of your election.
Save the election definition file provided by VotingWorks to a USB drive. Insert the USB drive into the VxAdmin laptop's USB hub. In the top-right of the screen, the text should change from No USB to Eject USB.
Select Select Existing Election Definition File.Select the file from the USB drive and select Open.
Once complete, the Definition tab will display all of the details of your election.
If you need to change an election definition or reset VxScan for the next election, you must remove the election definition.
Select the Definition tab and scroll to the bottom. Select the red Remove Election button.
After confirming that you want to remove the election definition and results data, you will return to the initial VxAdmin configuration screen. From there you can re-configure VxAdmin and load a new election definition file by repeating the steps above.
