Voter Education

In compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Walton County uses a blended voting system in each polling place consisting of an AccuVote-OS (Optical Scan) vote tabulator and an AccuVote-TSX (Touch Screen) vote tabulator.

AccuVote-OS Tabulator
A person choosing to use the AccuVote-OS tabulator is issued a paper ballot and directed to a voting booth where they may vote their ballot in privacy. Once voted, the voter deposits the ballot into the AccuVote-OS tabulator, which reads the votes cast and records and stores them for tabulation after the close of the polls. It then drops the ballot into a locked and sealed ballot box.

Once the polls have closed and the last person has voted, the AccuVote-OS is secured to prevent any further ballots from being cast. The results of the votes cast are printed and posted at the polling place and also transmitted over a secure line to the Department of Elections’ vote tabulation system. Once received by the system, the results are accumulated into a county-wide report showing the total of votes cast at all precincts for each of the races in the election.

Voting Using the AccuVote-OS

1. To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice.
    
2. If you erase or make other marks, such as a check or an X your vote may not count.
    
3. If you make a mistake, ask for a new ballot. You may receive up to two replacement ballots. If you have questions or need help, ask a poll worker for assistance.
    
4. To vote for a write-in candidate, write the candidate’s name on the line provided for a write-in candidate and fill in the oval next to their name.

AccuVote-TSX Tabulator
The AccuVote-TSX tabulator allows persons with disabilities to vote independently and without assistance. Each voter is issued a Voter Access Card, which once inserted into the AccuVote-TSX tabulator displays the ballot on the Touch Screen. Voters record their votes and cast their ballot by touching graphics displayed on the unit’s touch screen interface which are then recorded on redundant storage media for tabulation once the polls have closed.
After the polls have closed and the last person has voted, the AccuVote-TSX is secured, preventing any further votes from being cast. The results of the votes cast are printed and posted at the polling place and also transmitted over a secure line to the Department of Elections’ vote tabulation system. Once received by the system, the results are accumulated into a county-wide report showing the total of votes cast at all precincts for each of the races in the election.


Voting Using the AccuVote TSX

1. You will be given a Voter Access Card containing your ballot information. You have the option of requesting a visual only, audio only, or a combined audio and visual ballot to be programmed on the Voter Access Card. Headsets and a keypad are provided for those requesting an audio only, or a combined audio and visual ballot.
2. The Voter Access Card is inserted into the slot at the upper right side of the screen.
3. If you requested a visual ballot, the “Instructions” screen will be displayed and you will be given the opportunity to magnify or change the contrast of the ballot before proceeding to vote. If you have requested an audio ballot, the instructions will be played through the headset and you will be given the option of increasing or decreasing the volume and changing the speed of the audio.
4. To begin voting, touch the “NEXT” button at the lower right side of the screen on a visual ballot or the appropriate key on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.
5. Make your selection by touching the oval on the screen next to your choice or the appropriate number on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.
6. If using a visual ballot, an X” will appear designating your selection. If you are using an audio ballot, your selection will be read to you.
7. If you are using a visual ballot, touching the “X” will allow you to cancel your choice and make another selection. If you are using an audio ballot, you will be instructed on how to cancel your choice and make another selection using the keypad.
8. You may vote for a write-in candidate by using the keyboard displayed on the Touch Screen for a visual ballot or by pressing the appropriate keys on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.
9. You will be given the opportunity to review your ballot on the summary page and make any changes to your vote. Visual ballots display races without a vote in red. Audio ballots will advise you of any races in which a selection has not been made. You will be given the opportunity to go back and cast a vote for any blank voted race by touching it on a visual ballot or by pressing the appropriate key on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.
10. When you have confirmed your vote, you may cast your ballot by touching “Cast Ballot” on a visual ballot, or by pressing the appropriate key on the keypad as instructed by the audio ballot.

Also see:

• Absentee Voting
• Early Voting
• Election Day Voting