Paperless system for the display and registry of choices and the collection of data entered online and offline in elections and surveys

摘要

A paperless system for the online and offline collection of data representing votes cast and choices registered in elections and surveys is administered at a master Website at which election/survey and voter/participant data and qualifications are maintained and associated in a database with parameters for a uniquely identified election or survey event. Voter/participant identity records with a password are also maintained in the database and embedded on a smart card that is issued to a voter/participant upon registration. Upon the occurrence of an election/survey event, the smart card is entered in a terminal mechanism to permit voting or choice selection. Individual votes and choices are transmitted to the master Website in real time or in batches where they are tabulated and analyzed. After voting, an indicia is placed on the smart card to prevent its reuse for subsequent participation in the same event.