Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 721 - Secretary of State
Division II - Elections
Chapter 22 - Voting Systems and Electronic Poll Books
Rule 721-22.265 - Unisyn Openelect Ovi Unit

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 721-22.265

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

(1) Acceptance testing. Upon receipt of the equipment from the vendor, the commissioner shall subject each OVI unit to an acceptance test. The test shall be in addition to any testing provided by the vendor and shall include a demonstration of the functionalities of the device.

(2) Audio ballot preparation. Each candidate shall have an opportunity to provide a record of the proper pronunciation of the candidate's name. The same voice shall be used for recording the entire ballot including instructions, office titles, candidate names and the full text of all public measures.

(3) Timeout value. The OVI timeout value shall be set to 600 seconds. Precinct election officials shall monitor the use of the OVI unit to ensure that voting sessions are not automatically terminated due to inactivity. If a voter abandons a voting session initiated on the OVI unit without printing a ballot, the two precinct election officials designated to assist voters shall print the ballot without reviewing it or making any changes to the voter's choices before the OVI unit times out due to inactivity, enclose the ballot in a secrecy folder, and immediately deposit the ballot in the tabulating device.

(4) Preelection testing. Each OVI unit shall be tested before each election in which it will be used. The commissioner must use the OVI unit to prepare some ballots for the test decks as required by paragraph 22.42(1)"d. " In addition, the commissioner shall verify that:

a. The vote response fields on the screen align with the candidate names or choices.

b. All contests and candidates appear on the screen for each precinct.

c. All contests and candidates are included in the audio ballot for each precinct.

d. All voting positions in each race can be selected, then deselected, using the touchscreen and the keypad.

e. Selections on the printed ballots accurately reflect the voter's choices.

f.Overvote and undervote functions are programmed correctly.

g. The write-in function for each office is working correctly. All letters in the alphabet must be tested.

h. There is enough paper on the paper roll to print a minimum of ten ballots for the election in which the OVI unit is being used.

(5) Availability at public test. The commissioner shall ensure that the OVI unit is available for demonstration at public tests.

(6) TM. The TM device used with the OVI unit shall be installed before the OVI unit is locked, sealed and transported to the polling place for election day. The commissioner shall lock and seal the OVI unit, record the seal number and provide the number to the precinct election officials as required by rule 721-22.51 (52). From the time the OVI unit is delivered to the polling place until the time the precinct officials arrive, the OVI unit shall be stored securely to prevent tampering. On election day, the precinct election officials shall inspect the seal and verify that the original numbered seal is present and undamaged.

(7) Touchscreen and printer testing. The commissioner may provide for printer and touchscreen testing after delivery of the OVI unit to the polling place. If touchscreen testing is performed at the polling place, the delivery staff shall complete the testing before the polls open on election day. Staff shall keep a log for each OVI unit and record the machine serial number, precinct name or number, nature of the test, date and time of the test and name of the person performing the test.

(8) OVI unit keys. Possession of the OVI unit keys shall be restricted to the precinct chairperson and authorized members of the commissioner's staff.

(9) Table or voting booth. The table or voting booth used to support the OVI unit shall meet the following requirements:

a. The table shall be sturdy enough to hold the OVI unit safely.

b. Clearance shall be at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 26 inches deep.

c. The top of the table shall be from 28 inches to 34 inches above the floor.

(10) Privacy. The commissioner shall instruct the precinct election officials to position the OVI unit to provide maximum privacy and access to voters.

(11) Abandoned ballots. If a voter or a precinct election official discovers that a voter has left the voter's ballot at the OVI unit, the two precinct election officials designated to assist voters shall enclose the ballot in a secrecy folder and immediately deposit the ballot in the tabulating device.

(12) Extra paper rolls. Each precinct in which an OVI unit is being used shall be equipped with an extra paper roll for the OVI unit, and precinct election officials shall be instructed as to the method of replacing the paper roll.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Iowa may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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