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BOD Printing System

Ballot on Demand®
Solution

ES&S’ secure Ballot on Demand (BOD) solution consolidates commercially available printing components with ES&S proprietary software. This proven system automates and streamlines ballot production and distribution, offering flexible options for on-demand ballot printing needs. The system includes a printer, laptop and BOD software.

Security features:

  • Encryption, hash validation and digital signatures
  • Audit logs
  • Physical and system access controls
  • System application controls

Product features

Features and benefits

Automated ballot management
  • Reduces the risk of ballot shortages
  • Ensures the correct ballot style for every voter
  • Eliminates ballot picking and pulling
  • Reduces staffing needs for ballot processing and inventory
  • Eliminates the need to organize and store mass quantities of printed ballots
  • Eliminates potential delays due to ballot shortages and deliveries
Multipurpose paper trays
  • Enable efficient printing of two-sided ballots
  • Support ballot lengths up to 19 inches plus up to 3-inch stubs
Proprietary software
  • Offers overprint/overlay capabilities to meet each jurisdiction’s unique needs
  • Enables special text or images to be overprinted onto a completed PDF
System integration
  • Integrates with voter registration (VR) systems, providing an easy-to-use interface

Ballot printing

Our BOD solution allows election staff to print the precise number of ballots needed for any permitted ballot style, based on actual voter turnout. This increases efficiency and reduces cost and waste.

When integrated with VR workstations or electronic pollbooks, the system will automatically accept individual ballot requests and print the proper ballot for each request. This eliminates the need to preprint, store and inventory ballots at polling locations and ensures the correct ballot is printed for each voter.

Ballot security

System access controls
  • The BOD application enforces role-based access control with three role options: Admin, Supervisor and Operator. Typically, election workers use the Operator role, which allows them to monitor print requests but does not allow access to any other options or settings.
  • The entire BOD system is hardened into a single-purpose system, dedicated solely to operating the BOD software and printing ballots successfully.
  • Two passwords are required to access the BOD software: a Microsoft Windows login and the BOD software login.
Ballot encryption
  • All ballot PDF files stored on the BOD system are encrypted and must be validated by the BOD software before being printed. These PDF files can be printed only from the laptop installed with BOD software and from the connected BOD printer.
  • Should someone attempt to print unauthorized files or modified ballot PDF files, the BOD software would neither accept nor print them.
Physical system security
  • As a first line of defense for system security, the BOD laptop and printer can be secured in a lockable cart, and the laptop is secured with a tamper-evident seal.
  • On the BOD printer, the physical USB port is disabled to prevent communication with all devices, except for the hardened BOD laptop.
Audit logs
  • The BOD software generates a detailed, time-stamped audit log of every action and event that occurs in the software. This audit log can be viewed and exported from the hardened laptop.
  • When an administrator logs in to the system, the BOD software reports on all printing activity performed during that administrator’s session.
SpecificationsBODEX415 B&W PrinterBODEX470 Color Printer
Printer dimensions (W x H x D)12.6” x 15.7” x 15.6”15.9” x 17.4” x 21.3”
Printer dimensions w/ tray extenders (W x H x D)20” x 15.7” x 26.5”26” x 17.4” x 26.5”
Weight31.6 lbs78.6 lbs
Paper ballot length supported11” to 22” (19” ballot plus 3” stub)11” to 22” (19” ballot plus 3” stub)

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