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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:

  • Physical and System Access Controls
  • Audit Logs
  • Encryption, Hash Validation and Digital Signature
  • 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 enables election staff to print the exact number of ballots of any allowable ballot style needed based on 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 pre-print, store and inventory ballots at polling locations and ensures the correct ballot is printed for each voter.

Ballot security

Encryption, hash validation and digital signatures

All ballot PDFs stored on the system for printing are encrypted and can only be printed via the BOD software installed on the PC using the BOD printer. Should unauthorized data somehow be introduced into the system, a user would not be able to associate this data or edit the predefined job without logging in as an administrator.

Audit logs

The BOD Print Service software generates an audit log of all system activities, including system access by administrators. Once an operator is logged into the system, the BOD will report on all printing activity by that operator. The audit log is time-stamped, and each individual activity is identified by the administrator login name.

Physical and system access controls

The BOD laptop and printer can be secured in a lockable case, and the laptop is secured with a pressure-sensitive, tamper-evident seal. These physical locks and seals are a first line of defense and minimize the effect of any unauthorized access.

The operating software provides security access controls to limit and detect access to critical system components, guarding against system integrity loss and availability. Access codes are required for system access during equipment preparation, testing and operation. These safeguards cannot be bypassed or deactivated during system installation or operation, maintaining the integrity of the election data and audit record.

The BOD laptop supports two levels of password protection: Microsoft Windows login and BOD Print Service login. Should unauthorized data somehow be introduced into the system, a user would not be able to associate this data or edit the predefined job without logging in as an administrator.

System application controls

The BOD system is hardened to include only the services, applications, utilities and settings required to operate the print service program and print ballots successfully. System functions are executable during election events, in the manner and order intended by election officials performing their duties.

SpecificationsBOD9310 Color PrinterBOD6400 B&W Printer
Printer dimensions (W x H x D)17.5” x 17.5” x 19”15.5” x 11.5” x 15.5”
Printer dimensions w/ tray extenders (W x H x D)17.5” x 25.3” x 26.5”15.5” x 17.5” x 23”
Weight65 lbs35 lbs
Paper ballot length supported11” to 22” (19” ballot plus 3” stub)11” to 22” (19” ballot plus 3” stub)

Need more information?

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