Reply #4: In the counties in FL that use optical scanners

[DoYouEverWonder]

when the poll is closed, two tapes with the results are printed out. One tape is attached to the scanner/ballot box and the other is post on the precinct door.

The boxes are transported to the SOE's storage facility and the results are transmitted via modem to the county SOE offices. The next day the local SOE compares the totals that were transmitted, with the tapes that were posted at the precincts.

Then those results are sent via the Internet to the DOS in Tallahassee and the SOE sends a report, with just the totals, for comparison at the State Dept.

In the meantime, the ballots themselves are transferred from the scanner boxes to a blue envelope that is locked and the envelops are then locked in a vault. After the election is certified, the ballots are removed from the locked envelopes. The envelops are put away to reuse in the next election and the ballots are stored by the SOE and are available for examination upon request.

The ballots in FL are currently available for counting and examining. You would not be allowed to touch the ballots yourself, but for a fee you can have them shown to you.