Hidden-code voting and marking systems

Abstract

A paper ballot voting system is described that allows voters to verify that their ballots are correctly counted and provide substantiating evidence if they are not. The systems work whether or not automation is available in the polling place. In other aspects special pens and printing provide protection of voter privacy and against marks being added after ballots are cast. Further aspects of the approach include robust ballot scanning and improved transparency of the voter check-in process.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A printing method comprising printing with an invisible ink and a dummy ink, in which each of a pattern of areas are printed using at least one of the invisible ink and the dummy ink per area so as to hide the choice of areas printed in invisible ink substantially until the areas are developed with a cooperating marking means and differences in the areas printed in the invisible ink and the dummy ink revealing information when so developed. 
     
     
         28 . A document scanning system, comprising paper forms including mark positions and image processing such that all mark positions on the form, such mark positions being made up of marked mark positions and un-marked mark positions, are each recognized in image processing and each recognized position is further recognized as marked or unmarked. 
     
     
         29 . The document scanning system according to  claim 28 , wherein marked positions comprise regions and the regions are pre-printed with indicia distinct from indicia printed elsewhere on the form. 
     
     
         30 . The document scanning system according to  claim 28 , wherein the mark positions are pre-printed with distinct values and image processing including obtaining a value from at least an un-marked mark position by a scanning portion of a system and the value substantially unknown to the scanning portion of the system before obtaining it from the form. 
     
     
         31 . The document scanning system according to  claim 28 , wherein the mark positions are pre-printed with distinct first values and second values and the first values visible before marking and not after marking and the second values visible after marking and not before marking and image processing including obtaining a first value from an un-marked mark position by a scanning portion of a system and obtaining a second value from a marked position by a scanning portion of the system and the values substantially unknown to the scanning portion of the system before obtaining the values from the form.