BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Democratic elections are based on the concept that individual voters can vote in an election, have their ballots correctly read, and have the cumulative results of the ballots tallied to determine the winner of the election. Anonymity is a key part of the process as people want to assure that they cannot be identified from the ballot they cast in the election. Furthermore, a key aspect of the democratic process is that individual voters feel confident that their ballots are accurately recorded and tallied. There is always the possibility that honest errors can be made in recording and counting the ballots. There is also the possibility that nefarious people may tamper with the ballots or deliberately misread them in an attempt to unfairly influence the results of an election. To ensure that an election is both fair and safe, a method allowing voters to safely verify that their anonymous ballots have been correctly recorded is required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, herein is disclosed a ballot for voting in an election. The ballot consists of first and second sheets having identical voting information for recording a vote printed thereon. The first and second sheets are attached together such that the first sheet overlays the second sheet and the identical voting information of the sheets overlap precisely. The first sheet is adapted to receive a first mark recording a vote by means of a writing implement. The first sheet is a copy paper which is configured to copy the first mark onto the second sheet. The first sheet is configured to be easily detachable from the first sheet. Each of the first and second sheets have an identifier, the identifier being unique to the ballot, the identifier on each sheet being obscured by a seal overlaying the identifier. The seal is configured to be easily removed to reveal the underlying identifier.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, here is disclosed a system for voting consisting of a plurality of ballots, and means for reading, recording and displaying the votes cast. The ballots each include first and second sheets having identical voting information for recording a vote printed thereon. The first and second sheets are attached together such that the first sheet overlays the second sheet and the identical voting information of the sheets overlap precisely. The first sheet is adapted to receive a first mark recording a vote by means of a writing implement, the first sheet being a copy paper configured to copy the first mark onto the second sheet. The first sheet is easily detachable from the second sheet, each of the first and second sheets of each ballot having an identifier, each identifier being unique to each ballot. The identifier on each sheet is obscured by a seal overlaying the identifier, the seal being configured to be easily removed to reveal the underlying identifier. One of said first and second sheets is identified as a counting ballot when marked by a vote and the remaining one of said first and second sheets is identified as a voting receipt when marked by a copy of the vote. The system includes a vote reader for reading the unique identifier and the vote for each of the counting ballot. A computer database is coupled to the vote reader for recording the vote and matching it to the unique identifier of the ballot associated with said vote. The computer database is operatively coupled to a website for displaying the votes recorded and their matching unique identifiers. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure l is a perspective view of a hypothetical election ballot made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ballot shown in figure 1 with the security seal partially removed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ballot shown in figure 1 with the security seal removed and the ballot marked by the voter.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a page of posted election results created in accordance with the method of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a voter voting in an election using the system of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the vote verification system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring firstly to figure 1, a ballot made in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as item 10 and consists of a small two part paper ballot 12 consisting of overlapping ballot sheets 14 and 16. Information about the election is printed onto sheets 14 and 16, including the names of candidates 20 and 22 and marking spots 24 and 26 corresponding to the name of candidates 20 and 22, respectively. Sheet 16 is an exact copy of sheet 14 which is configured to overlay sheet 16 so that the material written on sheet 14 exactly overlays the corresponding material written on sheet 16. Sheets 14 and 16 are releasably adhered to one another along spine 18 by means known generally in the art. Sheet 14 is preferably made of a carbonless copy paper having a front surface 25 which is adapted to be written on by a pen or pencil leaving an indelible mark. Sheet 14 is further configured to copy the markings made on surface 25 to surface 27 of sheet 16 in response to the voter marking sheet 14 by a pen or pencil. Since the two sheets are overlaid one on top of the other, marking surface 25 of sheet 14 causes surface 27 of sheet 16 to be marked identically. Hence, if the voter marks his or her vote on sheet 14, the same exact vote is simultaneously recorded on sheet 16. Sheet 14 is preferably made of a carbonless copy paper, although any sort of paper which is capable of copying markings onto an underlying sheet of paper can be used. Carbonless copy paper suitable for use in constructing ballot 10 are easily sourced in the marketplace for stationary and paper products. Traditional carbon paper can also be used for sheet 14; however, better alternatives capable of creating clearer and more permanent copies are available in the market.

Ballot 10 is indelibly printed with a unique identifier code positioned over security seals 28 and 30. As best seen in figure 2, unique identifiers 32 and 34 are identical and are unique to the ballot. No two ballots would have the same unique identifier. In the example shown, the unique identifier is 157, but the unique identifier could be any sequence of letters, numbers and symbols. Security seals 28 and 30 are removable stickers which are applied to over unique identifiers 32 and 34, respectively, when the ballot is manufactured. Seals 28 and 30 preferably comprise opaque adhesive seals which are adhered to the surface of the paper and can be easily peeled away to reveal the underlying unique identifier. Alternatively, seals 28 and 30 could comprise a removable coating which obscures the underlying unique identifier, but which can easily be scratched off with a fingernail to reveal the underlying unique identifier. Methods and devices for printing a unique identifier on each ballot and then covering up that unique identifier with a removable seal are readily available in the market. As best shown in figure 3, the voter uses ballot 10 by peeling off the security seals to reveal unique identifier 32 and 34. Again, unique identifier 32 and 34 are identical and is unique to each ballot. The voter marks his or her vote by making mark 35 in one of the marking spots 24 or 26 on surface 25 of sheet 14. Mark 35 could be a check mark, an“X” or any other mark as required by the rules of the election. Mark 35 is made by means of a pen, pencil or some other writing implement provided by the voting station where the ballot is used. When mark 35 is made, corresponding mark 37 is simultaneously made on sheet 16 as sheet 14 transfers the mark to sheet 16. After the voter makes his or her vote, the voter detaches sheet 14 from 16.

Ballot’s 10 are produced in large quantity at a printing facility (not shown) which is contracted by the local, regional or national authority authorized to facilitate the election. The unique identifiers are printed onto the ballots from a master list of unique identifiers. The master list of unique identifiers can be generated by any suitable means known in the art for generating sequentially ordered unique identifiers such as a computer application running on a computer coupled to the printing equipment which prints the ballots. The ballots are printed in large numbers and boxed for use. Each ballot printed and made available for use in an election bears a unique identifier found on the master list of unique identifiers. The master list of unique identifiers is recorded for later use as shall be explained below. Sufficient ballots are printed to permit each voter to vote. Additional ballots shall be printed incase there are accidents in delivering ballots to the polling stations or if there are errors in the number of projected voters.

Referring now to figure 5, a supply of ballots 10 are delivered to each voting station 40. The number of ballots delivered to the station shall be dependent on the number of voters expected to vote at the voting station, plus a quantity of additional ballots in case there are additional voters. The voters registered to vote at the voting station makes his/her way to the voting station on the election day in order to vote. When the individual voter 42 attends at the voting station, the voter identifies himself/herself to voting official 44 who checks the official records to determine if voter 42 is registered to vote at voting station 40. If voter 42 is registered to vote at station 40, official

44 hands voter 42 ballot 10. Each voter is handed a ballot, with each ballot being identical apart from the unique identifier printed on each ballot. Voter 42 then marks his or her ballot as desires and detaches sheet 14 from sheet 16. Voter 42 can mark his or her ballot as required to vote for a candidate or proposition. Alternatively, voter 42 can elect to deliberately spoil his or her ballot as an indication of the voters protestation of the election. Hence, a ballot which has been marked can be either cast (indicating a proper vote in accordance with the voting rules) or spoiled (indicating a deliberate mismarking of the ballot as a sign of protest). In the event voter 42 inadvertently damages his/her ballot, the voter can inform voting official 44 that he/she damaged the ballot and will require a new ballot in order to vote. Voting official 44 then retains the damaged ballot and hands the voter a fresh ballot. After marking the ballot the voter deposits one of the sheets (preferably sheet 14) into ballot box 46 and leaves the polling station. The voter retains sheet 16 as his/her confirmation of how they voted in the election. At the end of the voting period, election official 44 collects ballot boxes 46 and reads, counts and records all the cast ballots. The election official also gathers the spoiled ballots, the damaged ballots and all of the unused ballots (spare ballots) which were not handed to voters. The spoiled, damaged and unused ballots are scanned or read to record the unique identifier of each of these ballots. Election official 44 enters each ballot collected into computer 48 which is coupled to a central server 52 via network 50. For the properly cast ballots, the vote which is recorded on each ballot, together with the unique identifier for that ballot is transferred to a central database 54 located on remote server 52. In addition the unique identifier for each ballot which is spoiled, damaged or unused together with the status of that ballot (spoiled, damaged or unused) is transferred to central database 54. Each ballot is identified in database by the ballot’s unique identifier and shows the vote cast for that ballot, and the status of that ballot, namely cast, spoiled, damaged or unused. The actual reading of the ballots can be done manually by voting officials 44 or an automated ballot reading machine can be employed. The automated voting machine is configured to read the ballot including the vote(s) cast by the ballot and the unique identifier for that ballot. Suitable ballot reading devices which incorporate optical scanning technology to read ballots are available in the marketplace.

Database 54 is loaded with the master list of unique identifiers from the printing facility (or facilities) which printed the ballots. The database is configured to cross reference the unique identifiers of the cast, spoiled, damaged and unused (or surplus) ballots with the master list to verify that the ballots were on the master list. The database is also configured to flag as suspicious any ballots (particularly cast ballots) who’s unique identifiers are not found on the master list. The database is further configured to identify missing ballots as ballots which are listed in the master unique identifier list, but which were not counted at the voting stations. Presumably, these ballots were either lost, stolen or otherwise unaccounted for. The database is further configured to generate an election ballot list which lists the unique identifier of every ballot printed and lists the status of each of those ballots as cast, spoiled, damaged, unused (surplus) or missing. In the case of cast ballots, the election ballot list records the vote cast for the ballot. This election ballot list is preferably in a standard database file format and is made available for downloading from server 52 to any member of the public upon request.

Referring now to figure 6, voter 42 can verify that his/her vote was correctly recorded by cross referencing his/her ballot receipt 16 with the vote recorded in central database 52 of remote server 54. Voter 42 accesses database 52 by means of computing device 60 coupled to server 54 via network 50. Computing device 60 may be a desktop or laptop computer, or it may consist of some sort of mobile computing device such as a tablet or smart phone. Network 50 is preferably the internet and database 52 is preferably coupled to a website (55) resident on (or operatively coupled to) server 54. Preferably, the website 55 is designed to permit the user to easily locate the polling station or voting district where they voted, or to otherwise find a record of the ballot cast by the voter using the ballots unique identifier code. For example, the website can be configured such that the user engages computing device 60 to call up a voting summary page 62 for the polling/voting station the voter voted in. As best seen in figure 4, the summary page 62 lists all of the unique identifiers for the ballots cast in the relevant polling station and summarizes how each ballot was marked. Unique identifier 34 is shown and adjacent to it is the recording of how that voter voted on that ballot. This allows the voter to quickly verify whether or not his/her ballot was correctly recorded. If there is a discrepancy, then the voter can approach the voting authorities and inform them of the discrepancy. The ballot receipt acts as proof of how the voter voted and can be used as evidence in order to fix any errors in the database. The summary page 62 also lists all of the ballots related to the polling station, and notes the status of each ballot as cast, spoiled, damaged, unused or missing. Damaged and unused ballots may be listed together as invalid (meaning they did not count towards the election) or they may be listed separately.

Page 62 lists the ballots in sequential order based on unique identifier, permitting the voter to quickly identify his or her ballot and double check that the his or her vote was counted correctly. Preferably page 62 lists a limited number of ballots in sequential order, say 10, 30 or 100 ballots per page, with the page configured to permit users to get to the next or previous page of ballots in sequential order. The website generating page 62 is preferably configured to generate page 62 such that it shows a list of every ballot in the entire election as opposed to only the ballots relating to a particular polling station. That list of ballots would correspond to every ballot on the master list of unique identifiers. Again the page is configured to display ballots in sequential order in groups of 10, 30, 100 or whatever number required. The page can also provide a link to download the election ballot list, allowing users (voters and members of the press) to work with the ballot data.

The invention allows for voters to have increased confidence that the election results are honest and valid. Voters can verify that their ballots were recorded correctly and third party independent bodies can quickly confirm the results of elections by simply tallying the ballots displayed on the web pages of the website displaying the ballot information. The privacy of the voter is maintained because the voter’s name is only checked at the polling station to verify the right to vote. The voter’s name is never matched with the ballot. The voter’s name is not recorded on the ballot, so only the voter will know how he/ she voted. In the event of a recount or some dispute involving the election, voters can use their ballot receipts as evidence of how they voted.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims