Dominion’s ImageCast Remote is a client-side remote ballot marking system. The system has been used in elections since 2006 and is part of Democracy Suite, Dominion’s Election Management System. The ImageCast Remote software platform utilizes N-Tier (or multitier) software architecture.

The system supports WCAG 2.0 Level AA conformance, multiple languages, browser-based screen readers and Audio-Tactile Interfaces (ATI). The ImageCast Remote uses standard HTML and JavaScript and is compatible with Microsoft Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome.

Voters can use the system on their personal computer, tablet, smartphone, or touchtone phone. After the voter has marked their ballot, the system generates a PDF of an “Electronic Mobile Ballot,” which is a representation of the voter’s summary ballot, containing a human readable summary of the voter’s selections and a 2D QR code, which is not human readable and allows the ballot to be scanned by a Dominion ImageCast ballot scanner instead of being remade onto traditional ballot paper by hand or with a ballot duplication system. The Electronic Mobile Ballot can have more than one QR code, containing the number of available contests, candidates, and write-in candidates.

To mark a ballot using Dominion’s ImageCast Remote, a voter first must submit a request for an electronic ballot to their elections administrator. Upon approval, the voter is provided a login ID and PIN to access the ImageCast Remote system via their preferred method of contact (e.g. email or postal mail).

A voter accesses the ImageCast Remote on their preferred device and in their preferred browser. The voter must authenticate themselves using their login ID and PIN, as well as their first and last name. The voter must also complete a “Human Interface Challenge” (CAPTCHA) by entering the characters they see or hear on the screen. The voter is then presented their particular ballot style and selects their preferred language from the list of available languages.

The voter makes their selections by selecting the box to the left of the candidate of their choice. To write in a candidate, the voter selects the “Write in” box and then fills out the text box. The voter will receive instructions to vote for one or more candidates in each contest.

Voters using screen readers or other assistive devices are instructed how to mark the ballot and navigate through the system. Voters also receive status updates about how many selections remain in a contest.

After the voter has navigated through all of the contests on the ballot, they may review their selections on the review screen. Here, the voter receives any overvote or undervote warnings and may return to previous screens to modify their selections.

If the voter is satisfied, they download their ballot as a PDF. The ballot is an “Electronic Mobile Ballot,” which is a summary of the voter’s choices, meaning the voter sees only their selections — not all of the candidates in each contest. The summary ballot also contains the election, date, voter’s preferred political party, and ballot style. The voter may then end their voting session.

The ImageCast Remote does not support the electronic return of voted ballots (internet voting). Depending on the jurisdiction, email or fax return may be allowed, or mail or drop off return may be required. To return a ballot via postal mail or drop off, the voter prints their PDF and downloads their ballot package, which contains a cover sheet showing the name and location of the jurisdiction in which the election is taking place, information regarding the election itself, and instructions for the voter about the completion and return of the ballot; the voter affidavit, which is to be read and consented to by the voter, and then returned with the ballot; and a printable template to create a return envelope.