1
Sign in, like always.
A poll worker finds your name. A public list records that you voted today.
That list shows that you voted, never how. It’s what makes sure there’s exactly one ballot for every voter.
Precinct 12 · Who votedPublic list
- Avery Chen ✓ Voted
- Jordan Rivera You—
- Sam Okafor —
- Taylor Brooks —
How anyone voted: never recorded here
4
Scan it. Your key is made.
The scanner mixes your code with its own random code to make your ballot key.
The key is printed on your paper ballot, so the public list can always be matched back to real paper. The machine’s part is never published, so your code alone can’t find your ballot.
Your code
K7·QM·42
+
Machine’s code
9F·2C·E1
↓
Your ballot key
K7QM-9F2C-42E1
✓ Printed on your paper ballot · ✓ Your code is inside it
5
Keep it, or leave it.
Taking your key is up to you. If you lose it, no harm done: nobody can tie it to you.
Your receipt shows only the key: no name, signature, or time, and nothing records whether you took one. Keep it to yourself, since anyone holding it can open the ballot it points to.
Keep it
Look up your ballot later.
Leave it
It’s destroyed. Your vote still counts.
Keep it private
It has no name on it, but it opens your ballot. Don’t hand it to anyone.