Voting Equipment Database – DFM Associates Mark-A-Vote
The DFM Mark-A-Vote is an optical scan paper ballot voting system that was used in three California counties for the November 2012 elections. The system consists of a ballot/card reader and BCWin, the election management software. These readers come from several different manufacturers and come in several different versions differentiated primarily by their speed. Most of the certifications for these readers date from the 1970’s. There is no firmware version associated with these readers. Voting the Mark-A-Vote ballot is accomplished at precinct locations by the use of a specially inked felt tip pen while the absentee ballot is marked by the use of a #2 lead pencil. Write-in voting is performed directly on the ballot card in spaces provided immediately following the other candidate names for the office. A secrecy envelope is furnished in which to place voted ballots prior to depositing in the ballot box or the absentee ballot identification envelope.