Philadelphia's New Voting System
Philadelphia's New Voting System:  
 
 

1 Get Your Paper Ballot: Go to your polling place, check-in, and receive your paper ballot from the poll worker.

2 Initiate the Voting Session: Insert the paper ballot into the ballot feeder with the notch in and to the right.

3 Make Selections: Using the screen, touch the candidate of your choice or write-in a desired candidate.

4 Print Your Ballot: Touch PRINT and your selections will print out in the window on the right.

5 Verify Your Vote:In the window on the right, review and verify your selections.

6 Cast Your Vote:Press VOTE and your ballot is scanned, tabulated, and stored in the secure ballot container.

 
The Philadelphia City Commissioners will be demoing the New Voting System in locations throughout the city during the Summer and Fall.
  • Why is the voting system changing?
    The Department of State, in conjunction with Governor Wolf, is requiring all of Pennsylvania’s counties to replace their current voting systems with new systems that have a voter-verifiable paper ballot. Philadelphia must have a new system in place in time for the Primary Election.
  • Will I still be able to use the Danaher machines at my polling place?
    No, all Philadelphia voters will use the ExpressVote XL voting system in the November General Election.
  • What voting system was selected by the City of Philadelphia?
    The City of Philadelphia selected the ExpressVote XL voting system made by Election Systems & Software, LLC. (ES&S).
  • How did the City select the ExpressVote XL and the Poll Pad?
    The City followed the Best Value procurement procedures to review and select the ExpressVote XL and the Poll Pad for use by Philadelphia voters in the November General Election.
  • How do I use the ExpressVote XL?
    The ExpressVote XL allows voters to safely and securely mark their selections on a touch screen or with an assistive device, and will produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot, providing an auditable paper trail.
  • If I am a voter with disabilities, will I use the ExpressVote XL?
    Yes, the new voting system provides all registered voters the ability to cast their vote in the same manner by using assistive devices such as an accessible keypad with braille and the ability to use rocker panel. The voting system allows voters with disabilities to make selections, verify their ballot, and cast their votes at the same device used by all voters.
  • If I have a disability, can I bring assistive devices to the polling place for use with the new voting system?
    Yes. Although the City provides headphones for use with the ExpressVote XL, voters are also welcome to bring their own headphones, sip and puff, or other devices. Voters using the headphones may choose to turn the touchscreen off.
  • What if I make a mistake while marking my ballot?
    Voters will have multiple opportunities to review their selections, both before and after a paper ballot has been printed, prior to officially casting their vote.
  • How do I know my vote has been counted accurately?
    Before casting your vote, you will have the opportunity to review your paper ballot to ensure that it accurately reflects your selections. Once your vote is cast, the ExpressVote XL scans your selections. Because the ExpressVote XL produces a paper ballot, Philadelphia will be able to conduct enhanced post-election audits and recounts if needed.
  • How do I know the system is secure and no one can tamper with it?
    The system has been certified by both the Federal Elections Assistance Commission (EAC) and the Pennsylvania Department of State. As part of the state certification, the system was sent to an independent security consultant for security and penetration testing. Tests were done to ensure that election results, media used, reports, and audit logs were protected from attempts to decrypt, manipulate, or corrupt election data.. Furthermore, the hardware, election media, and ballots are secured with lock and key and security seals.
  • Is information about me, such as my name, captured on the ballot?
    No, the ballot does not capture personal information such as one’s name. The only information captured on the ballot is the precinct, ballot style, and votes cast.
  • Is my vote private?
    Yes. During your voting session, a privacy curtain surrounds the voter and the ExpressVote XL, shielding the touchscreen and your selections from view. Also, the marked ballot does not capture personal information such as one’s name. The only information captured on the ballot is the precinct, ballot style, and selections made by the voter.
  • What should I do if I have difficulty using the new voting system?
    Outreach to communities across the City will help voters become familiar with the new voting system and vote successfully in the November General Election. If you do have difficulty using the new voting system, the members of your Election Board will be trained to help you. Trained staffers will be available on Election Day to answer questions about using the new voting system and can be reached at 215-686-1590.
  • Will I still be able to vote in Spanish?
    Yes, the ExpressVote XL will allow voters to independently vote in Spanish.
  • When can I vote using the new voting system?
    All voters will use the ExpressVote XL voting system in the November General Election.
Attention Election Board Workers

The Election Board Worker Training Guide for the 2019 General and Special Election is now available!

Topics include

  • Election Day Checklist
  • Important Phone Numbers
  • Election Board Job Descriptions and Procedures
  • Preparing for Election Day
  • Opening the Polling Place
  • Voting Procedures
  • Challenges to In-Person Votes on Election Day
  • Illegal or Inappropriate Behavior on Election Day
  • Voting Assistance
  • Authorized and Unauthorized Polling Place Inspectors and Visitors
  • Voting System
  • AFTER Closing the Polls
  • Seals
  • Voting Machine Troubleshooting
  • Where to Pick Up Your Election Materials