Review of VOTEC-VEMACS

Strengths

Sold into large counties–covers 7.5 million voters in 11 states.

Extremely comprehensive package.

Solid Street/Precinct module with GIS integration.

Weaknesses

Oracle based (harder to maintain and find people with Oracle experience).

Heavy use of functions keys (although this can speed up data entry).

Reports don’t feature extensive ad hoc capabilities.

1.0 Voter Registration

1.1 Voter Entry

Look up voters by name and address (partials and wildcards are acceptable.)

2 Generic fields are available.

Initial dup check is by first name, last name, and DOB.

If a dup exists, it opens a modify voter screen where new info. can be added.

Extensive Pending File with correspondence generation.

Unique Election Day lookup screen –just give basic info. , polling location, etc.

1.2 Voter Reports

Extensive transaction or audit reports (can be run daily).

NVRA reports available.

1.3 Voter History

Stores Voter History

Allows easy correction of Voter History

1.4 Streets and Districts

Tight GIS Integration (accepts street centerline files from GIS).

Allows tracking and blocking of commercial addresses (mail drops).

Streets can be modified after election registration date because street records as valid "AS OF" a particular date.

District Information available per street range.

Street ranges can show voter counts, list of voters, and polling locations.

Allows street "alias" names (if a segment is known by 2 or more different names.).

1.5 NVRA tracking and correspondence.

Extensive batch correspondence mailings and tracking.

Use of bar codes to return correspondence and change status, date fields.

System administrator determines the logic of correspondence sent and responses.

2.0 Pollworker/Poll Location Admin.

2.1 Pollworker Tracking

Limited lookup for pollworkers (for example, can’t use name and party).

Shows basic voter info from main voter module–those items can’t be changed.

Non-registered voters can serve as pollworkers.

2.2 Pollworker assignment for election

Workers, locations and precincts can be "rolled over" from previous elections.

Sends "notice to serve" cards.

Color Coding of workers to show accepted or non-accepted work assignments.

Maintains training classes and works that attend.

Complete payroll module with exporting utility.

Allows complete history tracking of workers–locations, elections, and training.

2.3 Poll Location Tracking

Auto assigns equipment inventory.

Allows delivery and routing information.

Can track serial numbers of serialized equipment.

2.4 Polling Location assignment for elections

Workers, locations and precincts can be "rolled over" from previous elections.

Locations can be rolled over from previous elections.

3.0 Election Admin

3.1 Candidates

Complete candidate tracking.

Has Precinct Committee Management.

3.2 Races

3.3 Ballot Creation

Auto production of ballots.

Allows Ballot Rotation.

Export of ballot information to ballot counting systems.

3.4 Absentee Processing

Allows sending of second requests.

Allows flagging of application as incomplete and sending documentation to voter.

Allows "in person" or over the counter applications.

Extensive printing options for labels–use of bar codes, etc.

Bar code scanning of returned ballots.

"Early Voting" module allows early voting at satellite locations.

3.5 Provisional Voting

Provisional voters are accommodated.

3.6 County Offices and Officials

No specific information provided on elected officials tracking.

3.7 Petition Processing

Data entry by page and line.

Data entry models the petition itself–shows empty lines, etc.

Tracks Non-registered voters and tracks those for statistical purposes.

4.0 SYSTEM ADMIN

4.1 Codes Setup

No specific information provided on systems admin module.

4.2 Security

There is security but no information provided on security setup.

5.0 IMAGING

5.1 Signature Scanning

Extensive Viewing Controls (rotate, etc.)

Manual Clipping of Signature

5.2 Other Document Scanning

Allows scanning of complete registration card.

One click button in most modules for scanning (voter reg/absentee, etc.)

5.3 Scanning setup and storage

Images are stored in the Oracle database.

Large scanners require ISIS interface.

5.4 Pollbook or voter credit scanning

Done by manually scanning bar code on pollbook or entering voter ID.

6.0 REPORTS

6.1 Fixed Reports

Extensive use of bar codes to wand in returned correspondence.

Over 250 standard reports.

Ability to send reports to e-mail.

6.2 Ad Hoc Reports

Uses Oracle’s Report Builder.

Filter records by Date and Voter Groups (setup by system admin.)

Limited Ad Hoc reporting features.

Ability to create text file which includes last 40 elections history.

6.3 Graphic Reports

None. However, reports can be saved as .html.

6.4 3rd Party Apps.

None Mentioned.