IndyVOTES Securely

Here’s what you need to know about how IndyVOTES works, and how the process has been designed to be safe and secure.

I. The Voting Process

STEP 1: Check in to Vote

Technology used: Poll Pad – wireless connection

When you vote, you’ll first interact with the Poll Pad, or electronic pollbook. The Poll Pad is an iPad used by poll workers to verify your ID and locate your voter record. This is the ONLY piece of equipment in the Vote Center that has limited internet access.

The Poll Pad:
  • connects only to the voter registration database
  • is not connected (by wire or wireless) to the equipment that completes and tabulates the votes
  • will print a barcode on a blank ballot card that will tell the ExpressVote which ballot style (i.e., candidate list) you should receive, based on your address

STEP 2: Complete Your Ballot

Technology used: ExpressVote – no online access

Voters insert a blank ballot card into an ExpressVote, which reads the barcode printed on the ballot during check-in. The ExpressVote will pull up the correct ballot that corresponds to your address/precinct. Mark your candidate choices using the touchscreen. When finished, select
“Print” and ExpressVote will print an easy-to-read, completed ballot for you to review for accuracy.

The ExpressVote:
  • is NOT connected to the internet
  • does not store ballot data from any voter
  • has been used since 2018 in Marion County, which first introduced the new tech to provide access to voters with disabilities before making it available to all voters
  • prints your selections on a paper ballot that’s easy to read and verify before it’s submitted and tabulated

STEP 3: Submit Your Ballot

Technology used: DS200 – no online access

Finally, you will take your completed ballot and feed it into the DS200 machine. The counter on the screen will confirm your ballot has been received. If this equipment looks familiar, it’s because it has been used securely for years at Marion County Vote Centers.

The DS200:
  • is NOT connected to the internet
  • records all ballots on an internal media device that cannot be remotely accessed
  • After the polls close, the vote results are physically taken to the Election Service Center for final tabulation and auditing
  • All paper ballots are stored in the DS200, and then transferred to our Election Service Center for archiving, per state law

II. There is a paper trail.

The ExpressVote machine prints your selections on a paper ballot that is inserted into the DS200. In addition to maintaining all paper ballots, the Marion County Election Board performs a process called a Risk Limiting Audit to verify the accuracy of the election results.

III. Check and double-check.

When your ballot is printed by the ExpressVote, check your selections carefully. If you find a discrepancy (or even if you just change your mind) you can “spoil” your ballot by taking it to a poll worker. They will nullify that ballot and assist you in getting a new one.

Ask a poll worker.

If you are confused about any step of the voting process, don’t hesitate to talk to a poll worker. They’ve been thoroughly trained on all the equipment and can address any concerns.

Find a Vote Center

Click here to find the closest Vote Centers to you.