Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-20
2002-10-01
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S386000, C235S380000, C235S435000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457643
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to improvements in or relating to voting systems.
However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be limited as such, and the prior art and possible applications of the invention as discussed below are therefore given by way of example only.
BACKGROUND ART
Most countries are democracies, and as such are governed by their elected representatives. An important component of a democracy is the system by which representatives are elected.
For example, elections are usually held to elect representatives to Government or Parliament, and also to local government such as city councils. Another instance where a voting system is commonly used is in determining the will of the people with respect to various issues via a referendum.
A voting system or election is governed by two important precepts. The first is that it be an open and transparent process. The second is that the secrecy of the electors' vote is maintained. It is highly desirable that results are not available until the poll has closed. To ensure the secrecy of the results during a ballot it is illegal, in such countries, for example New Zealand, to commence processing of votes until the ballot has closed.
Elections or referenda are usually conducted by postal ballot or via a ballot box. In either method voters are provided with a ballot paper. Each voter's ballot paper is identical and identifies the issue(s) under consideration, and a number of options for the issue(s). If the options are candidates'names, these are usually listed in alphabetical order, or some other pre-determined, but fixed, sequence. Voters mark their preference on the ballot paper and return the ballot paper to the ballot organiser, either by mailing it, or placing it in a ballot-box.
When a postal ballot paper is received it is usually validated. The process of validation ensures that no voter casts more votes than he or she is entitled to. Usually a voter is allowed a single vote and is recorded as having cast that vote when their ballot paper is returned. If more than one ballot paper for a voter is returned, that voter's ballot papers are usually put aside and/or declassed invalid.
Usually, only when a ballot ends can the ballot papers be processed and the results of the ballot discovered. Often the results of a ballot are required the same day the ballot closes. It is an enormous undertaking to train and co-ordinate the number of people required to count and record the results of the ballot in the time available after the ballot has ended. It is also expensive. The effort and expense increase as the size and/or complexity of the ballot increases.
Efforts are being made in several countries to change the law so that votes can be processed as they are received. However the secrecy of the results before the ballot closes must usually still be maintained.
A problem with most current ballot papers is that the choice made by the voter is apparent on the face of the ballot paper, and the voter, in some instances, may be identified either by his or her name, or by an identification number.
When the identification number is used to validate the vote, the voter's identity is known. The sighting of the electors' choices, for example, may increase the risk that some indication of preliminary results may leak to the public.
Furthermore, the custom of placing options, and in particular candidate names in, say, alphabetical order can favour those candidates whose name appears early in the alphabetical sequence.
It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot including an option section and a response section whereby the response section is adapted to be separable from the option section.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein the response section is separable from the option section by a perforated join.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein the option section contains at least two options, said options being generated and/or presented in random order.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein the response section includes at least one selection portion for each option presented on the option section, to enable a voter to choose or nominate an option(s) or preference(s) or sequential order.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein the response section includes a unique identifier.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein the unique identifier is in the form of a barcode.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein each selection portion on the response section is provided with a reading means.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ballot paper substantially as described above wherein the reading means is a barcode
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of conducting a ballot utilising a ballot paper substantially as described above, 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 a preference(s) on the selection portion(s) of the response section,
d) instructing the voter to separate the response section from the option section, and return the response section to the ballot organiser;
e) using the unique identifier to identify the voter and recording that a vote has been cast by that voter;
f) recording the preference(s) of the voter;
g) collating the results
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of limiting access to the results of a ballot, utilising a ballot paper substantially as described above, the method comprising the steps of:
a) requiring a key to produce the ballot paper;
b) requiring a key to collate the results.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of limiting access to the results of a ballot, substantially as described above wherein the key is a dongle.
The ballot paper may be any suitable means of conducting a ballot and/or recording a vote, or preference.
In preferred embodiments the ballot paper may be made of paper or card.
In other embodiments the ballot paper may be presented electronically, for example on a visual display unit.
The option section on the ballot paper may present a number of options. In some embodiments the options may be a list of candidates in an electorate. In another embodiment there may simply be two options, a yes
o or true/false.
In preferred embodiments the options may be presented in a list.
The response section of the ballot paper may include at least one selection portion to enable a voter to choose or nominate an or each option(s) as desired. Preferably, there may only be one selection portion for each option.
In preferred embodiments the selection portion may be a space capable of being marked by pencil or by ink.
In an electronic embodiment the selection portion may be marked by entering data electronically on the selection portion by the keyboard, by clicking a mouse, or by other pointing device or by touch sensitive screens.
It is envisaged that a voter may choose or nominate an option by making an appropriate mark (for example a tick or an “X”) in the appropriate selection portion. In some ballots the vo
Brown Martin Haller & McClain LLP
Lee Michael G.
Walsh Daniel
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