Method and apparatus for determining a voting result using a communications network
First Claim
1. A method for determining a voting result for a voting issue, comprising:
- providing notification of a voting website to a plurality of eligible voters, wherein the notification is provided via an email message sent to each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters, wherein the notification provides the plurality of eligible voters with access to the voting website;
for each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters that accesses the voting website, validating identity of the eligible voter to produce a validated voter;
receiving voting information from validated voters; and
compiling the voting information from the validated voters to produce the voting result.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for allowing voting decisions to be determined through the use of a data communications network is provided. The process begins by sending consent email messages to each of the potential voters that may vote to determine the result of the voting decision. The consent email message includes a hyperlink (URL) to a consent website, where potential voters can access the consent website to provide consent information. Once the consent information for the potential voters has been gathered, a set of eligible voters is determined from the potential voters based on those which provided consent information. The consent information can include consent to receive electronic information regarding the voting decision as well as consent to vote electronically. Based on the set of eligible voters determined, a second email message is sent to each of these eligible voters, where the second email message provides notification of a voting website to these eligible voters. When the eligible voters access the voting website, their identity is validated, and voting information is collected from those eligible voters who consented to vote electronically. Additionally, the voting website may provide the links to the electronic format information corresponding to the voting issue. When an eligible voter casts his/her vote, the voting information provided in the vote is compiled to determine the final voting decision. Compilation may include storing the voting information in a database, and may also include generating and sending transfer agent email messages that provide the voting information to a transfer agent that is responsible for tallying all of the votes that are cast.
97 Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A method for determining a voting result for a voting issue, comprising:
-
providing notification of a voting website to a plurality of eligible voters, wherein the notification is provided via an email message sent to each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters, wherein the notification provides the plurality of eligible voters with access to the voting website;
for each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters that accesses the voting website, validating identity of the eligible voter to produce a validated voter;
receiving voting information from validated voters; and
compiling the voting information from the validated voters to produce the voting result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A voting management processor, comprising:
-
a processing module; and
memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operating instructions that, when executed by the processing module, cause the processing module to perform functions that include;
providing notification of a voting website to a plurality of eligible voters, wherein the notification is provided via an email message sent to each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters, wherein the notification provides the plurality of eligible voters with access to the voting website;
for each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters that accesses the voting website, validating identity of the eligible voter to produce a validated voter;
receiving voting information from validated voters; and
compiling the voting information from the validated voters to produce the voting result. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A voting system, comprising:
-
a first network;
a voting server operably coupled to the first network; and
a plurality of clients operably coupled to the first network, wherein each of the plurality of clients provides access to the voting server to a portion of a plurality of potential voters, wherein the voting server performs functions that include;
receiving consent information from at least a portion of the plurality of potential voters;
determining a plurality of eligible voters based on the at least a portion of the plurality of potential voters from which consent information was received;
sending voting notification email messages to the plurality of eligible voters, wherein the voting notification email messages provide access to a voting website managed by the voting server;
for each eligible voter of the plurality of eligible voters that accesses the voting website, validating the eligible voter to produce a validated voter;
receiving voting information from at least a portion of the validated voters; and
compiling the voting information from the at least a portion of the validated voters to produce a voting result. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
-
Specification