Voting Machines

The voting systems used in Wisconsin are optical scan, DRE, mechanical lever machine and paper ballots.

The voting systems used in Wyoming are optical scan and DRE.

The voting machine systems used in Virginia are optical scan, voter assist terminal and paper ballots. Beginning November 2017, Virginia will no longer be using the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines.

The voting systems used in Vermont are optical scan, paper ballots and vote by phone.

The voting systems used in West Virginia are Optical Scan, AutoMARK, Paper Ballots and DRE.

Optical Scan: An optical scan ballot is a specially designed paper ballot which is marked by the voter with a special pencil, then tallied by a computer reader. The layout is very similar to the standardized tests given in school, the voter darkens an oval next to a candidate's name in order to enter a vote.

Washington is a mail in ballot state. The public may observe the processing of mail ballots. You may contact your County Auditor to arrange times to observe. Ballots are tabulated on optical scan and digital scan tabulating equipment. The equipment must be able to determine the ballot format for every ballot. Bar codes on each ballot allow the tabulation equipment to immediately determine the ballot format of that ballot, which allows the equipment to correctly read the ballot.

The voting system used in Utah is DRE.

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE): This is the newest kind of system in use in the U.S. All the information about who and what you are voting for is on an electronic screen like a TV or computer screen.

There are many variations of DREs because lots of companies are inventing new ones, and many cities, counties and states are trying them out. Usually, after you have signed in, the poll workers will give you a card that you slide into a device to start your voting session.

The voting systems used in Tennessee are optical scan and DRE.

The voting system used in South Carolina is DRE. Optical Scan machines are used for mail-out absentee ballots.

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE): This is the newest kind of system in use in the U.S. All the information about who and what you are voting for is on an electronic screen like a TV or computer screen.

The voting systems used in Texas are optical scan, DRE and paper ballots.