The Election Systems & Software (ES&S) ExpressVote is a ballot marking device (BMD) that combines touch screen voting with an integrated thermal printer. The ExpressVote is typically used as an accessible voting device in jurisdictions that use hand-marked paper ballots for most voters; however, the device is also used by all voters in many jurisdictions.

The ExpressVote can be deployed in one of two configurations: either as a marking device only, or as a marking device combined with additional integrated scanning and tabulation capabilities. These configurations are not interchangeable; jurisdictions typically choose to deploy their preferred configuration, and it does not change.

When configured exclusively as a ballot marking device, which is how most jurisdictions deploy it, the ExpressVote does not have scanning or tabulating capabilities. Accordingly, after reviewing choices and printing the summary card, the voter must insert it into a separate ES&S tabulator to cast their vote. The scanner most commonly used with ExpressVotes is the ES&S DS200 and, as of 2023, the DS300. When configured as a tabulator, the voter reviews their selections as printed on their summary card and then reinserts the card into the machine for tabulation.

In both configurations, to begin the voting process, voters insert a blank thermal paper card; a voter’s ballot style is often encoded on the blank card during the voter check-in process, so the ExpressVote automatically displays the proper version of the voter’s electronic ballot. The voter then marks their choices on the touchscreen display. After voters are finished marking all their preferred choices, the device presents a “review page” that allows voters to double-check their choices on their ballot. If a voter skips any contests, the screen indicates “No selection.”) After voters have had the opportunity to review all choices on the summary page, they print a summary paper record of their choices.

In all versions of the ExpressVote, the device can also be configured with additional accessible features for voters with disabilities. ExpressVotes support accessible voting through a tethered Audio-Tactile Interface (ATI), which is a “game controller” style console that includes tactile navigation buttons. The ATI can also support headphones for voters who are blind or visually impaired, or paddles or sip-and-puff devices for voters with dexterity impairments.

Whether configured as a marking device only, or with tabulation capabilities, the format of the ExpressVote printed vote record is the same: the device prints 4.25” thermal summary cards, which are more narrow than standard letter-size paper. The summary cards list voters’ choice(s) in each contest, rather than all options, like a traditional format ballot, and the ExpressVote encodes the voter choices in a machine-readable  bar code.

Tabulators for the summary cards always count votes by reading the computerized bar code, not the human-readable text that the voter sees. Depending on how jurisdictions choose to configure the ExpressVote, the method of casting the ballot differs. Those two methods are described below.

Although most jurisdictions deploy the ExpressVote as a ballot marking device only, ES&S also configures the device as a tabulator. At the time of purchase, jurisdictions can elect to use ExpressVote with an optional “kiosk” that also includes a paper chute and receptacle to store voted summary cards. When used along with other software features, this configuration allows the ExpressVote to scan and count votes on the same device that voters use to mark choices and print their summary cards.

When used in “tabulator mode,” the ExpressVote can be configured to either return marked summary cards to voters for manual review, before re-insertion into the device for scanning and tabulation; or to allow the voter to automatically cast their vote after an on-screen review only (i.e. without physically removing and reinserting the card). In either case, after the paper summary card is cast, the paper path drops the card into the attached chute, and voted summary cards are held in the attached receptacle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If using the ES&S ExpressVote configured as a Ballot Marking Device

 

Disability Rights North Dakota: ExpressVote 101

Demonstration of the ExpressVote as a BMD from Cooke County, TX

Demonstration of ExpressVote as a BMD/tabulator from Johnson County, KS

ExpressVote BMD Poll Worker Training from Iowa

ES&S ExpressVote usage as BMD in November 2024 (click for details)

ES&S ExpressVote as BMD/Tabulator usage in November 2024 (click for details)

ES&S ExpressVote Operators Guide, Election Systems and Software (2014)
ES&S EVS 5,2,0,0 Test Report, Election Assistance Commission (2014)
Idaho ExpressVote Procedures, Idaho Secretary of State (2014)
EVS 5200 Certification Report, Maryland State Board of Elections (2014)

ES&S EVS 5.2.0.0 & 5.3.0.0 Memorandum, Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (2014)
ExpressVote Usability Report, Clemson University and Election Systems and Software (2014)
EVS 5200 ExpressVote Election Day Checklist, Fairfax County Virginia (2014)