Abstract:
A modular integrated software and hardware suite accepts data exported from a voter registration database corresponding to requests for mail ballots, sorts the information as necessary for ballot preparation, creates a road map for ballot mailing preparation, provides for mail presorting, scans returned ballot envelopes using a ballot envelope scanner, accepts data from such ballot envelope scanner, and matches the data from the scanned returned ballots with information in the voter registration database, sorts ballots that cannot be electronically matched to a particular voter into a separate stack for manual processing, automates the signature verification process for electronically matched ballots, and returns updated data to the voter registration database. A ballot envelope scanner uses a passive feed system, a separator brush, a variable speed straight paper path to minimize jamming through the ballot envelope scanner. The ballot envelope scanner also works in connection with a workstation application to interpret a barcode, store an image of the ballot envelope signature in association with a specific voter, print an endorsement on each verified ballot envelope, store the endorsement with the signature image, or alternatively divert ballot envelopes with unrecognizable or unmatched barcodes to a separate tray for manual processing.