Erie County Voting System

Welcome to the Erie County voting system page. This page tells you how to vote in person on Election Day in Erie County.

Some voters in Erie County will use the Dominion Imagecast X to mark their ballot. Some voters will vote using a hand-marked paper ballot. All voters will use the ImageCast Precinct Scanner to cast their completed ballot.

If you have questions about voting in Erie County, contact the county election office. If you have any questions at the polling place on election day, poll workers are there to help you. Poll workers are trained to maintain the secrecy of your ballot.

How to Vote Using a Hand-Marked Paper Ballot:

1. Getting started

Voters voting in a voting booth
 
  • After you check in, a poll worker will hand you a ballot.
  • Take your ballot to a ballot marking station, where you will mark your ballot privately.

2. Make your selections

A voter marking the ballot
 
  • Completely fill in the oval next to each of your selections on the ballot.
  • Complete the front and back of all pages of the ballot.

3. Review your selections

A voter reviewing the ballot
  • Check that you have voted all the contests you want to vote and confirm your selections.
    • You do not have to vote every contest.
  • Check the maximum number of candidates you are allowed to select for each office.
    • Do not select more than the maximum number of candidates for each office.
    • However, you may select fewer than the maximum number of candidates.
  • If you need to change a selection after you mark the ballot, ask a poll worker for a new ballot.
    • Do not scan the ballot you want to change.
    • Do not try to correct the ballot. Instead, give your spoiled ballot to the poll worker and make your selections again on the new ballot.

4.  Submit your ballot

Person placing their ballot into the ballot scanner
  • Take your completed ballot to the ballot scanner and insert it into the scanner.
    • A poll worker may be nearby to help you.
  • If you see a message saying the ballot was NOT successfully cast, you may need to review your ballot again.
    • If you do not understand the message on the screen, ask for help from a poll worker.
  • Your ballot is cast when you see a confirmation screen on the scanner.

How to Vote Using the Ballot Marking Device:

1. Getting started

Ballot marking device set up on a table
 
  • After you check in, a poll worker will direct you to a voting station and set you up with a ballot marking device.

2. Make your selections

Person making selections on the ballot marking device touchscreen
 
  • Make your selections by touching the screen. Press the box next to the candidate or response.
  • You can use the NEXT and BACK buttons at the bottom of the screen to switch between contests.

3. Review your selections

Person reviewing the selections on the ballot marking device
 
  • At any time while you are voting, you can review your selections by pressing the REVIEW button at the bottom of the screen.
  • Check that you have voted all the contests you want to vote and confirm your selections.
    • You do not have to vote every contest.
  • Check the maximum number of candidates you are allowed to select for each office.
    • You may select fewer than the maximum number of candidates.
  • To make a change, touch the candidate or response you want to change. This will take you to a screen where you can change your selection.

4. Print your ballot

Ballot marking showing the print ballot screen
 
  • If you are satisfied with your selections, touch PRINT BALLOT on the screen.
  • When there is paper in the printer, your ballot will print automatically.
  • Confirm your selections on the printed ballot.
  • If you want to make a change after the ballot is printed, you will need help from a poll worker to start over.
    • Give your spoiled ballot to the poll worker.

5. Submit your ballot

Person putting their ballot into the ballot scanner
 
  • Take your printed ballot to the ballot scanner and insert it into the scanner.
    • A poll worker may be nearby to help you.
  • If you see a message saying the ballot was NOT successfully cast, you may need to review your ballot again.
    • If you do not understand the message on the screen, ask for help from a poll worker.
  • Your ballot is cast when you see a confirmation screen on the scanner.

Accessible Features

If you have questions about the accessible devices or features, contact the county election office.

Devices

The following devices are available to use with the ballot marking device. Input devices are plugged into the audio tactile interface (ATI) controller, rather than into the ballot marking device.

  • ATI Controller
    • with buttons of different shapes
    • labelled in Braille
  • Binary input/ dual switch jack compatible with
    • Dual switch paddles
    • Sip-and-puff device
  • Audio output jack

Ask for help from a poll worker to set up the assistive devices you intend to use.

Features

The Imagecast X ballot marking device has the following accessible settings. You can access these features by selecting Accessible Voting Mode on the screen before you begin voting or using the keys on the audio tactile interface (ATI) controller.

  • Audio - Reads the text of the ballot aloud over headphones.
  • Audio volume - Changes the volume when using headphones.
  • Audio speed - Changes the speed at which the ballot is read when using the screen reader.Â
  • Contrast - Changes the contrast between the text and the background of the screen.
  • Privacy mode - Makes the contest portion of the screen blank for privacy while the audio is in use.
  • Text size - Changes the size of the words on the screen.

Instructional Videos

Instructional Video for the Dominion ImageCast Precinct Scanner

Dominion ICP Step 2 – Marking and Casting the Ballot

A recommended screen resolution of 1920x1080 for the best viewing experience.

Instructional Video for the Dominion Imagecast X Ballot Marking Device

Dominion ICX Step 2 – Voting on the ICX

A recommended screen resolution of 1920x1080 for the best viewing experience.

Helpful Links

U.S. EAC Testing Documents for the Dominion Democracy Suite

U.S. EAC Testing Documents for the Dominion Democracy Suite

PA DOS Certification Document for the Dominion Democracy Suite

PA DOS Certification Document for the Dominion Democracy Suite

Dominion Democracy Suite Product Webpage

Dominion Democracy Suite Product Webpage

Contact Your Election Officials

Contact Your Election Officials

More about PA's Voting Systems

More about PA's Voting Systems