Postal Voting

The election world is undergoing a rapid transformation with postal voting leading the change in many jurisdictions. Runbeck Election Services is a leader in providing complete solutions for this new wave of voting preference and we can do the same for your elections.

As voter requests for early voting ballots increase, automated assembly and mailing is essential to meeting the response times usually required by law. To that end, Runbeck Election Services has implemented the Pitney Bowes' Relia-Vote™ Mail Balloting System. The system has an integrated suite of solutions that minimizes postal costs, automates ballot inserting and addressing, ensures mail ballot accuracy and integrity, and provides a piece-level audit trail and real proof of mailing and tracking through the use of U.S. Postal Service PLANET^® Codes. This process streamlines and accelerates the signature verification process, automates sorting and provides an image archive of the envelope face along with signature.

Outbound

Runbeck ensures that multiple checkpoints are in place to catch any errors by using the early voting request file to audit this part of the process. A barcode is created for each voter and is ink-jetted onto the mail piece. This system is used at various points to verify that the correct material was included and assembled accurately. Any non-complying mail piece is automatically out-stacked for further examination and reprocessing.

After successful insertion, a batch report is generated for reconciliation. That output file is fed to the sorter. Batches are checked again at the sorter where any envelope not in the output file is out-stacked. An image of the face of the outgoing envelope is scanned and archived. Documentation for the Postal Service is created as well as verification and tracking reports complete with PLANET^® codes and corresponding voter identification numbers.

Inbound

High-speed scanners capture signatures and barcodes on the returning envelope, where lasers measure thickness to determine if the envelope meets specifications for a return ballot. The scanners then create an electronic image archive of all returned ballot envelopes, providing an audit trail to expedite and simplify research in the event of a voter inquiry. Resulting files are then integrated with the jurisdiction's signature retrieval system to provide split-screen viewing with the signature of record (electronic signature validation is 7-10 times faster than existing manual processes). Before delivery for processing, envelopes are sorted by jurisdiction or legislative district to expedite possible recounts.

Runbeck can easily adapt your early voter data files for compatibility with the Relia-Vote™ system. To maintain data integrity, the fields are populated by read-only files. A dedicated FTP server is available for file transfers or a virtual private network can be established between the Runbeck Election Services facilities and customer systems for secure communications.

Agilis Inbound Sorting Solution

The Runbeck Agilis is a small and innovative inbound sorting solution that makes inbound ballot processing, quick, easy and affordable for states and counties looking to manage their own inbound ballot processing. It handles all standard letters and flats and adheres to USPS automation standards for the handling of mailing including thickness and rigidity requirements. The system can scan and extract signature images for use in verification processes that depend on original voter signatures. It processes up to 10,000 pieces per hour and can sort to any supplied routing information (e.g. precinct number). The basic configuration starts with four bins with additional pockets available in banks of four. Learn More >