Equipment Conversion

The first Countywide election operating with the new optical scan voting equipment will be the August 26, 2008 Primary Election.

A State of Florida mandate requires all 67 counties within the state to use optical scanning equipment for all of their elections, effective July 1, 2008.  In doing so, 14 counties have transitioned to an optical scan voting system including Miami-Dade.  For the August 26 Primary Election, Miami-Dade County voters will use the paper-based optical scanning voting system.  There will still be ADA touch screen units (iVotronics) available for people with disabilities.

The conversion to optical scan technology stems from concerned voters, advocacy groups and election officials who prefer paper-based versus electronic methods. It is expected to increase voter confidence by providing a voter-verifiable paper record.

Description

The state has mandated that all counties using touchscreen (computer) voting equipment convert to an optical scan (paper ballot) system. The first time this equipment will be used in Miami-Dade County is for the August 26, 2008 Primary Election. This campaign will focus on the preparations required, training for poll workers, voter re-education and continual outreach throughout the community.

On Election Day you will be given your corresponding paper ballot and escorted to a privacy booth to review and make your selection by bubbling in your vote on the ballot.  After bubbling the circle next to your selection,  insert the paper ballot into the DS200 optical scan unit, which scans the ballot to capture and tabulate your vote. The optical scan unit is user-friendly and will notifiy you in case of a blank ballot and/or over-voted contests giving you the opportunity to correct your ballot. 

General Election
The optical scan voting equipment will be available at all Election Day precincts on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, as well as all Early Voting sites from Monday, October 20, 2008, to Sunday, November 2, 2008.

Please note, ADA touch screen units (iVotronics) will still be available for people with disabilities.