Review of DFM-EIMS VR System

Strong suite of modules.

Clean Outlook Style user interface.

Integrated Imaging product.

Unique election workspace checklist.

Heavy emphasis on California (a visit to Ohio revealed that they would have
  to make substantial changes to comply with Ohio law).

In use in only 2 states.

Reporting is not as strong as other vendors.

1.1 Voter Entry:

Allows data entry field by field by affidavit format.

Color Coded Voter Status.

Street match interface with Post Office approved software.

Batch Processing of new voter adds.

Batches are reviewed and corrected before being added to main database.

Extensive Duplicate Checking:

A split screen shows the current record and the suspected
     duplicate. Information that is different is shown in a RED
     field. The operator determines if they are the same or not.
     If they are the same, the older record is canceled and history
     is merged into the new record automatically.

Cal Voter Processing

Reads Cal Voter file and allows processing of those records.

    Can flag business addresses and mail drops and reject voters who file from there.

1.2 Voter Reports

Over 260 standard reports.

NVRA reports.

Affidavit Tracking Module allows tracking of NVRA data. Allows you to track registration cards sent to NVRA agencies and gather statistical reports on these. Postage Log Screen tracks expenses related to sending registration cards and NVRA confirmation cards (or Voter Notification Cards).

1.3 Voter History

Voter History is maintained.

1.4 Streets and Districts

Drill Down Tree Structure for Street Listings (see documentation).

Works with Street Segments (Street Ranges).

Allows splitting and joining of segments.

If segments are move to a new precinct, voters in that segment are automatically re-precincted.

Streets are stored in USPS format (correct according to Post Office—i.e. Use "3rd Ave", and not "Third Ave".)

Easy to use screen for showing segments for two precincts (or splits) and allows the moving of street segments from one precinct to the other.

Precincts:

Drill down tree structure for master precinct list.

Click on precinct list to see all districts associated with that precinct.

Optional Logging for all precinct and district changes.

Easy way to copy existing distinct info to a new precinct.

1.5 NVRA

Complete NVRA tracking and monthly reports.

Handles mailing of confirmation cards and disposition of those cards.

Handles voter status and cancellation of voters per NVRA.

2.0 Pollworker/Polling Locations

2.1 Pollworker Tracking

Tree-like alpha listing of all workers.

Extensive search fields for finding workers.

Ability to track Pollworker performance rating.

Custom Codes fields for pollworkers (such as "do not hire").

Ability to create "Certificates of Recognition" for groups of workers.

2.2 Pollworker Assignment for Elections

Handles training classes.

Produces payroll exports and tracking.

Has a Wizard to create a pool of all voting locations and available workers by precinct.

2.3 Polling Location Tracking

        Tree structure lists locations by City, Precinct and location name.

        Color Code for location status (active, etc.).

        Color coded voter registration stats for location (no. of active/inactive).

        Tabs for Accessibility, History, Equipment, Contacts and Remarks forms.

2.4 Polling Locations Assignment for Elections

Allows multiple precincts to be assigned to a location (consolidation).
"Edit Board" screen shows precincts assigned to a voting location and allows you to see workers assigned at that location.

3.0 Election Admin.

3.1 Candidates

Tree-like structure shows contests. Candidates are show when contests are clicked.

Candidates can have photos scanned and stored.

Tracks all candidate filings (declaration of candidacy, etc.)

Store candidate name as shown on ballot for ballot generation.

Ability to flag winning candidates.

Allows signature checking to determine eligibility.

Automatically updates the Incumbent file (or current elected officials) database with winning candidates.

3.2 Races

Tree structure for listing of races/contests.

3.3 Ballot Creation

Automatic ballot style creation based on candidates, races, and district information.

Handles ballot rotation.

Interface with Corel Ventura 8.

Supports multiple elections at one time.

Multiple ballots can be sent and tracked (in case a voter loses one).

Ballot envelops can be printed three ways: exported and sent to outside vendor, mail merge with Word Document, or created via a Crystal Report.

Extensive use of bar codes to handle return of applications, ballots.

Handles permanent absentee requests

Handles in person voters with small Dymo Labelwriter labels, barcodes.

Provisional and fail-safe voting is accommodated in the Election Workspace Module.

3.6 County Offices and Officials

Complies listing of all currently elected officials.

3.7 Petition Processing

Petition Status Color Coded (turns green when enough sigs are gathered)

Allows search by Name and Address (and partial).

Allows full check or sample check

Provides an on-line statistical summary and statistical detail screen.

4.0 SYSTEM ADMIN

4.1 Codes Setup

Resources Module handles county set and default settings.

4.2 Security

No information provided on Security setup.

5.0 IMAGING

5.1 Signature Scanning

            Allow scanning of voter signature -integrated in the VR module.

            Scanning can be done in batch ahead of time, or at workstation level.

5.2 Other Doc Scanning

Allows scanning of voter registration cards and other documents as well.

5.3 Scanning Setup and Storage

           Images are stored in the SQL Server database (blob storage).

5.4 Pollbook / Voter Credit Scanning

         Pollbooks or rosters are printed with bar codes to allow manual scanning of pages to give voter credit.
         No information provided on batch scanning of books.

6.0 REPORTS

6.1 Fixed Reports

Over 350 Fixed Reports

Crystal Reports is the report program

Shows duration of run for last time report was run (good for time planning).

Document Manager shows each report name, path, module, and printer settings (duplex, layout, last modified).

6.2 Ad Hoc Reports

The system does not have ad hoc reports per se, fixed reports do allow some parameters.

6.3 Graphic Reports

No graphic reports are mentioned

6.4 3rd Party Apps

Crystal Reports can be used to generate reports. In addition since the system is ODBC compliant any other report writer can be used. Data can be exported in to Excel and Word as well.

OTHER FEATURES:

Election workspace checklist allows you to define all the tasks need to run the election. There is a space provided for the date when the task is to be completed and a checkbox when completed.

Online HTML like help available at all times.

Toll Free support line with extended hours during election time.