The State of Nevada has recently mandated the use of Voter Verified Recorders (VVRs) for use with Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines. The chosen vendor is Sequoa Systems, which is in the process of certifying their VVR device. The Sequoia VVR is a sealed device that consists of two drum rollers with a continuous feed paper roll, a printer, and a clear window on the front which allows the voter to verify that the correct record has been printed. Currently no electronic means of reading the printed record exists, if the state wishes to verify the printout, or perform a recount, it must hand count the entire roll. If an electronic reader existed the state could easily compare the printed record to the DRE record to verify its accuracy.
An electronic ballot reader's purpose is to take as input a continuous roll of printed voting records and to produce in tabulated form an electronic tally of all the votes. The system must also cross check the data to limit the effects of OCR errors. A successful system may have the opportunity to become an integral part of the voting system within the state of Nevada. See full text of Concept Paper.