The Unisyn Voting Solutions OpenElect Voting Interface (OVI) is a ballot marking device that combines touchscreen voting with an integrated thermal printer. OVI is typically used as an accessible voting device in jurisdictions that use hand-marked paper ballots for the general voting population; however, the device is also popular with jurisdictions that have significant volumes of Early Voting, as an alternative to hand-marked paper ballots (because OVI essentially supports on-demand ballot printing for many different styles).

The OVI device allows voters to mark choices on a 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. (And if voters skip any contests, the screen will let voters know.) After voters have had the opportunity to review all choices on the summary page, voters print a summary paper record of their choices.

OVI prints paper records in a “strip” or “tape” format, which is more narrow than standard letter-size paper. The summary vote record lists voters’ choice(s) in each contest (rather than all options, like a traditional format ballot), and OVI encodes the voter choices in non-human readable barcodes. The Unisyn voting system counts votes by reading the computerized barcode, not the human-readable text that the voter sees.

OVI has additional accessible features for voters with disabilities. OVI supports accessible voting through an optional 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.

OVI does not have scanning or tabulating capabilities. Accordingly, after reviewing choices and printing the summary tape, the voter must insert it into a separate Unisyn OVO scanning tabulator to cast the vote. When the polls close, the OVO scanner can print out the race results and other information on a paper tape (if configured to do so).

The OVI-VC supports both accessibility and  Early Voting requirements. The OVI-VC has a 15-inch display andis equipped to assist voters, with varying abilities, to prepare their ballots independently and privately. It presents each contest on the correct ballot to thevoter in visual and, if needed, audio formats. The OVI-VCgives voters the option to use an audio ballot, ADA keypad, sip and puff binary device, and touchscreen with varying font sizes to make their selections.

Unisyn OVI-VC voter instruction video

Unisyn OVI-VC pollworker instruction video

Unisyn OpenElect OVI usage in November 2020 (click map for details)

Unisyn OpenElect OVI-VC usage in November 2020 (click map for details)

EAC Initial Certification of OpenElect Suite (2011)
EAC OpenElect Version 1.0 rev. B Final Test Report (2010)
Unisyn OpenElect Warehouse Technician’s Guide
Unisyn OpenElect Election Manager User Guide
PA DOS Certification Document for the Unisyn OpenElect 2.0.A.2

EAC OpenElect Version 1.1 rev. A Final Test Report (2012)
EAC OpenElect 1.3 Final Test Report (2014)