Voting system

• US 6,457,643 B1
• Filed: 07/20/2000
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ian Way
• Original Assignee: Ian Way
• Inventors: Way, Ian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALSH, DANIEL I
• Application Number:
  US09/582,158
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/386
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 13/00 Voting apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to a voting system. In particular, this invention relates to a ballot paper which includes an option section and response section, whereby the response section is adapted to be separable from the option section. The option section preferably contains at least two options, the options being generated and/or presented in random order, and the response section preferably includes at least one selection portion for each option presented on the option section. The response section preferably includes a unique identifier which may be utilized to identify each voter, and the response section may preferably include reading means adjacent each selection portion. Preferably a key such as a dongle may be required to produce the ballot paper and be required to count the votes and/or collate the results. A method of conduct a ballot utilizing such a ballot paper is also described.

Claims

1. A ballot paper, comprising:

an option section containing at least two options, said options being generated and/or presented in random order; and

a response section separable from the option section, the response section including at least one selection portion for each option presented on the option section, to enable a voter to nominate at least one option or preference or sequential order of options.

2. A ballot paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the response section is separable from the option section by a perforated joint.

3. A ballot paper as claimed in claim 1, wherein each at least one selection portion is provided with a reading means.

4. A ballot paper as claimed in claim 3 wherein the reading means is a machine readable barcode.

5. A ballot paper, comprising:

an option section containing at least two options, said options being generated and/or presented in random order;

a response section separable from the option section, the response section including at least one selection portion for each option presented on the option section, to enable a voter to nominate at least one option or preference or sequential order of options; and

the response section including an unique identifier for counting votes and/or collating results.

6. A ballot paper as claimed in claim 5 wherein the unique identifier is a machine readable barcode.

7. A ballot paper as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the unique identifier is generated from a voter'"'"'s position on an electoral roll, the date and time the ballot paper was issued, and an external value contributed by a key.

8. A ballot paper as claimed in claim 7 wherein the key is a dongle.

9. A method of conducting a ballot utilizing a ballot paper which includes an option section and a response section, the method comprising the steps of:

a) printing the options onto the option section in random order;

b) presenting the ballot paper to a voter;

c) instructing the voter to indicate one or more preference on a selection portion included on the response section;

d) instructing the voter to separate the response section from the option section, and return the response section to the ballot organizer;

e) using a unique identifier to identify the voter and record that a vote has been cast by that voter;

f) recording the preference(s) of the voter; and

g) collating the results.

10. A method of conducting a ballot utilizing a ballot paper which includes an option section and a response section, the method comprising the steps of:

a) printing the options onto the option section in random order, wherein a key is required to produce the ballot paper;

b) presenting the ballot paper to a voter;

c) instructing the voter to indicate one or more preferences on a selection portion included on the response section;

d) instructing the voter to separate the response section from the option section, and return the response section to the ballot organizer;

e) using a unique identifier to identify the voter and record that a vote has been cast by that voter;

f) recording the preference(s) of the voter; and

g) using a key which is used in producing the ballot paper to count the votes and/or collate the results.

11. a method of conducting a ballot as claimed in claim 10 wherein the key is a dongle.