In-Person Voting Will Be Different

The process of checking in to vote and receiving your ballot will be different. The old system, where a voter was checked in and verified manually using printed lists and then given a pre-printed ballot for their precinct has been replace by an electronic system using digital poll books (E-Pollbooks). E-Pollbooks have been used in Arizona since 2012. Pima County is the last county in Arizona to adopt E-Pollbooks.

The entire check-in process is handled on a tablet computer. You will approach the poll worker and give them your ID, just like before.

• If you are using a scannable form of ID, like your driver license, they will scan it on the tablet to verify that you are registered and your information is correct. If you are using another form of ID, your information will be input manually.
• You will sign the tablet, using a stylus. Your signature will be checked against the one that is on file.
• You will be given a receipt.
• A ballot that is specific to your precinct will be printed.
• You will be given the ballot, and from this point the process is the same as always. 

• It’s faster. Electronic check-in will take an average of 30 seconds vs 3 minutes for the old manual system.
• It helps prevent fraud. The system records when a person has voted and that information is instantly available to every Vote Center. Any attempt to vote again at a different location is prevented.
• It’s more secure. No ballots are printed in advance, so there are no extra blank ballots that must be kept secure. Ballots can only be printed when the voter checks in.
• It minimizes human error. The old system required checking lists and filling out forms by hand. There were several points in the process vulnerable to error.