What is the new “undervote alert” system for paper ballots?
Under a newer state law that took effect this year, the paper ballot scanner must return or reject any ballot on which the voter did not make a selection for one of the statewide constitutional offices (Governor/Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller or Treasurer). Click here to see video If the scanner rejects an undervoted ballot, the Voter has two options: (1) to make changes to the ballot; or (2) to tell the Judge of Election to accept the ballot “as is.” If the ballot scanner returns a ballot for any reason, the Judge of Election should tell the Voter the options and not look at the ballot. The touchscreen machines feature a similar review system that alerts the voters to any “undervotes” before the voter casts the ballot.
