Alachua County has used an optical scan tabulation system since fall of 1999.
The voter places his or her voted ballot into the scanner at the polling place or early voting site. If the voter has voted for more than one candidate in a race where only one vote is allowed, the scanner will reject the overvoted ballot. The voter may then request a new ballot and vote again. The scanner will also reject a completely blank ballot.
The ballot has ovals to the left of the candidate's or issue. The voter must fill in the oval to be sure their vote will count. Voters should not mark their ballot with an X or a check mark. These marks may not count.
A marking pen is provided in the voting booth for the voter. However, all of our AccuVotes have visible light readheads which do not require a special type of pen. A pencil or ball point pen can be used when voting absentee.
If you make a mistake on your ballot please do not erase or use white out. If you are voting at your polling place, ask for another ballot. If you are voting by Absentee and you make a mistake, please call the Elections Office at (352) 374-5252 for instructions.
Enhanced Voting Equipment
One audio-enhanced, accessible touchscreen voting machine is available in each polling place and early voting site. This additional piece of equipment provides the opportunity for voters with low vision, voters who are blind or voters who are otherwise unable to cast a paper ballot without assistance to vote independently.
The accessible voting equipment has many features.
- The voter can choose to magnify the screen increasing the size of the ballot text and vote by touching the screen or by using a keypad.
- The voter can choose to listen to the ballot through a headset and vote by using a keypad.
- The voter can increase or decrease the volume and has the ability to control the speed at which the audio ballot is being read by pressing a button.
- The voter can be seated or stand while using the accessible voting equipment.
- All ballot choices can be reviewed and confirmed by the voter prior to casting a final ballot.
If you need to use this equipment or know someone who does, please notify a poll worker.
To learn more about this equipment or for a demonstration, please contact our office at (352) 374-5252.
