(ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla.) — Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 19, in Escambia County, Florida, and continues through Oct. 31, 2026. Voters can cast their ballots daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. using DS300 ballot scanners.
The DS300 is not a new technology. It was first deployed in Florida for the 2008 elections, following the state’s July 1, 2008, mandate requiring paper optical-scan ballots for all voters. Below are the steps for using the DS300, along with a link to a video tutorial.
Steps to Use the DS300 Voting Scanner
Mark your ballot. Make your selections on the paper ballot according to the instructions provided at your polling location. Ensure your marks are clear and within the designated areas.
Complete your selections. Once you have finished marking your ballot, take it to the DS300 scanner.
Insert your ballot. Place your paper ballot into the DS300. The ballot can be inserted face up or face down, with either the top or bottom edge first. The machine will automatically pull the ballot in.
Wait for the scan. The DS300 will scan your ballot and check that your selections are readable. If an error message appears, notify a poll worker for assistance.
Confirm your vote. Wait for the machine to display the “Thank you for Voting” message. This indicates that your ballot has been accepted and recorded.
The DS300 is designed to make ballot submission simple, secure and verifiable for voters. It scans and tabulates paper ballots, provides immediate feedback if a ballot needs review, and directs scanned ballots into a locked bin.
Open Governance News has provided a video from Election Systems & Software, the creator of the DS300, demonstrating how to use the machine.
Video: DS300 How to Vote - Traditional Ballot - Election Systems & Software
To submit questions or provide additional information about this report, contact james.b@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below.
0
0
Comments