Electronic pollbook

An electronic pollbook, also known as an e-poll book, is typically either hardware, software or a combination of the two that allows elections officials to review and/or process voter information during an election (but is not vote counting equipment). This software or hardware is used in place of paper-based poll books, typically three-ring binders. Often, the functions of an e-pollbook include voter lookup, verification, identification, precinct assignment, ballot assignment, voter history update and other functions such as name change, address change and/or redirecting voters to correct voting location.

Where this is deployed, it has both consolidated broad data (from entire city, county and/or state) into usable information at a polling place and has replaced a paper-based system or complemented the paper processes. This consolidation has replaced or supplemented a manual process, usually a telephone call, from a precinct back to the local or regional board of elections. Normally, the information handled by an e-pollbook is public information that can be found in public or online.

Some vendors in the United States include: [http://www.datacard.com Datacard] , [http://www.decisionsupport.com Decision Support] , [http://www.diebold.com Diebold] , [http://www.electionadminstrators.com Election Administrators] , [http://www.essvote.com ES&S ] , [http://www.ferey.com Ferey International] , [http://www.robiselections.com Robis Elections] and some other solutions.

In 2006, at least two vendors had problems with e-pollbooks, including Diebold in Maryland in September 2006 [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,213690,00.html (Source-Fox News)] and Sequoia in Denver, Colorado in November 2006 [http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4668163 (Source-Denver Post)] .