DIEBOLD AccuVote-OS Hardware Manual Download

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Introduction

1. Introduction

1.1. Who this Guide is for

The

AccuVote-OS Hardware Guide

is designed for election administrators, service technicians, or

any AccuVote-OS user who needs to install or replace AccuVote-OS components. The guide
may be used in conjunction with the

AccuVote-OS Precinct Count User’s Guide

1.2. Overview

The AccuVote-OS provides an efficient and flexible solution to diverse election needs. Each
AccuVote-OS unit is relatively compact, weighing 15 lbs. only and may be easily installed and
detached from ballot boxes at the polling place. Modular AccuVote-OS construction provides for
easy upgrading and replacement of consumable parts such as the printer ribbon and paper tape.

The AccuVote-OS optically scans paper ballots, maintaining a running tally on its memory card
until an AccuVote-OS Ender card is processed at election close. This card electronically locks
the unit and automatically generates a report of the vote center’s election results. Absentee
ballots may optionally be counted after polling ballots at each precinct. Additional results reports
can be printed on the AccuVote-OS once the election has been closed.

A variety of ballot counting solutions are available using the AccuVote-OS. Ballots may be
counted either at the precinct on Election Day, or as absentee, challenged or early voting ballots.
Each of these counting categories may be integrated into precinct and summary election results
in a number of ways, using either precinct count equipment, or by manually entering results in the
GEMS software.

Memory cards are used in conjunction with precinct count AccuVote-OS units and provide a
highly compact and portable medium for storing election results, whereby any memory card may
be used with any AccuVote-OS and at any polling place. Memory cards may easily be set to one
of three election modes, with additional supportive setup and diagnostic modes.

The AccuVote-OS memory card is initially programmed with all vote center and ballot information.
The memory card is loaded with the vote center’s election results while ballots are counted.
Election results may be transmitted to election central via modem. GEMS provides current
consolidated election results and statistics, both online and in printed form as results are
received.

Ballots counted on polling AccuVote-OS units automatically drop into one of two compartments in
the ballot box, depending on the ballot selection criteria specified in GEMS. The AccuVote-OS is
sealed into the ballot box on election day and all ballot box compartments are locked.

Extensive security is employed, be it in the encryption of data transmission at the time of memory
card programming or at the time of election results transmission to the host computer. Critical
AccuVote-OS functions are protected by password entry, and audit logs may be printed at any
point in time, detailing all activities performed on a memory card since the point of programming.

Battery backup means hours of problem-free operation on election day in case of power failure.
Furthermore, memory cards and AccuVote-OS units may be easily replaced without
compromising the integrity and security of election results in case of equipment failure.

1.3. Other

documents

Product documents also offered by Diebold Election Systems, Inc. include:

•

AccuFeed User’s Guide