The term “electronic poll book” (or e-poll book) refers to the hardware, software or a combination of the two that allows poll workers to check in voters at polling places on Election Day, serving the same purpose as paper poll books or rosters. Our team found that almost three quarters of registered voters live in jurisdictions in which electronic poll books will be used in Election Day polling places this November. 

Electronic pollbooks have dynamic functionality that can allow for real-time updates, including same day voter registration, and can help track voter participation in jurisdictions with vote centers. But as we saw in the primaries, electronic poll book failures, when there are no backup plans in place, have been shown to cause long lines and disenfranchisement. For any computerized system used in elections, it is important that election officials have resiliency and recovery measures prepared. That's why Verified Voting recommends that jurisdictions have backup plans prepared in case of tech failures. Read more in our latest publication.

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With thanks,
The Verified Voting Team