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# New AVTS units - Card reader summary of discussion

- To: <Support@gesn.com>
- Subject: New AVTS units - Card reader summary of discussion
- From: "Larry Dix" <ljdglobal@gesn.com>
- Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000 14:36:29 -0600
- Importance: Normal

Discussion points for the Card Reader for the Accu Vote-TS:

If we modify the new Accu-Vote TS to accept a locking card reader we are faced with the following issues:

1. There must be a major design change made, therefore setting back the final design acceptance, and moving back the date when we can begin production.

2. A decision must be made on the type of locking device, i.e. does it completely take the card inside of the reader so that no one could “accidentally” remove the card while voting as happens now, or do we continue down the path of using a card reader like we currently have.

3. The more complex we make the card reader and with the more moving parts, the increase in failure and the replacement of readers must be anticipated.

For a detailed discussion, I have included the following information and comments from Ian Piper, Ken Clark, and Tab Iredale.

Installing a locking card reader would require redesign of the plastics in the area of the card reader mounting. For a card reader to lock, the card must be inserted into a reader that encompasses the end of the card to allowing a locking mechanism to block the end of card from traveling back. As you know, our current design allows the card to stick out approx. an inch from the front face of the unit.

Horizontal Mount

If card insertion is maintained in the horizontal position, then the card reader needs to be mounted further back from the front to allow the end of the card to pass the front edge of the unit to accommodate a locking mechanism. Also an adequately sized cutout would have to be created to allow gripping the card for insertion/removal.

If the card reader can't be moved back due to interference with internals mounted behind it, then a protrusion would have to extend from the front of the unit to allow a locking mechanism to engage the end of the card. This could compromise the robustness of the unit as a protrusion on the front of the unit could easily be broken off.

Angled Mount

If the cutout for horizontal insertion can't be made due to interference with internals mounted to the base underneath the card reader, then perhaps the card reader could be angled upward in the front to create enough room for a cutout. This angle would also produce a longer mounting area for the full length card reader and reduce the distance the card reader needs to be moved back. The angle would also give clear topside access to inserting the cards, instead of the current front side-access. This topside access could eliminate interference when mounted into a booth and simplify the booth's design. With front-side access, the booth would have to accommodate a clear area for the insertion/removal of cards while the touch screen unit is mounted in the booth.

Card Reader Suggestions

The type of card reader to use needs further research. I don't recommend the use of Axiohm's Model 171A that we currently use on the Blue and White units. It has other mechanicals that appear frail. We still could use the Axiohm Model 152 (as currently proposed) and create our own locking mechanism with solenoids and pins.

There may be special card readers available for this application, but choosing a sole source to accommodate our needs could cause us to have pricing and availability issues that we can't resolve without a redesign down the road.

# The Solution as proposed

The best solution to this problem is by addressing the problem with software. We need to take a look at solving the problem by setting the expectations level in the proper fashion and improving on our existing process. Allow me to ask if anyone has had experience in the real world (outside of voting) with locking card readers. I am a believer in using plastic for most of my transactions. The only locking card readers I have encountered are those that completely “suck in” my card so that I do not even have access to removing them. I have on occasion not had my card returned, meaning that it was stuck in the reader and therefore that reader was deemed inoperable. All of the other are simply a swipe method to gather information.

I would like to replace the old thinking with the new concept. I look at the voter card as a transaction device. On the new AVTS unit, I insert my card into the AVTS; it reads the information to provide me with a ballot. The software then is sensing if the card is removed. If during the voting process a voter removes the card, we immediately flash a screen that provides the voter the option to “CANCEL the VOTE” or “REINSERT THE CARD TO COMPLETE VOTING”. By providing this it removes the need for poll worker interaction to press the secret portion of the screen to cancel the ballot. If the voter does not elect to cancel the ballot, but reinserts the card, then the ballot will reappear so the voter can continue voting. If the voter presses, “Cancel the Vote” the ballot is cancelled, but the card is still active. The voter can then reinsert the card and begin the process again, since the voting transaction was never completed. Once the voter reaches the final screen, a message could be displayed only as a reminder that the voter should leave the card in the reader until prompted to remove after the vote has been cast and the card disabled. This should remove the paranoia about locking card readers and the need for them. Reports generated will identify the number of voters that pressed, “Cancel the Vote” so that voter counts can be balanced.

This will allow us to stay with the existing design, and we are not as limited on the card readers that we could use. By handling this problem with software, we have much more control over the process. The only reason that we believe that we need to lock the card is to keep a voter from removing it during the voting process, only so we can disable it at the end. That requirement goes away once we allow the software to properly sense the need for a voter card to be in the card reader.

Our own design of a card reader is also on the table but due to time constraints, it may not be a short term option, but something that will be looked at for the future.

Larry J. Dix

Global Election Systems

(972)-542-6000

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