TEV Questions

1. Why is the NMB implementing TEV?

The recent anthrax scare had a significant effect on mail delivery to government offices and on mail delivery in general, and forced the NMB to examine alternatives to our current mail ballot system. The NMB believes that TEV will allow us to conduct representation elections fairly and efficiently and minimize the impact on the NMB's mission should any future postal disruptions occur.

2. Is the NMB eliminating mail ballots?

No. In general, the NMB will be conducting elections using TEV. The Board may use other appropriate methods as it is permitted under Section 2, Ninth.

3. What is the implementation date of TEV?

The projected implementation date is September 30, 2002.

4. What if there is a computer failure?

There are three backup systems. If one system fails, another system would pick up. It is a seamless process ensuring that any system failure will not affect a voter's ability to vote.

5. How does the system prevent groups of voters getting together for voting parties?

The system has the capability to trace the phone numbers used to cast votes. Therefore, the TEV system improves the Board's ability to investigate allegations of voting parties.

6. How do voters vote no?

They do not call or they vote for "no representation" when the "write-in" portion of the ballot is prompted.

7. Can voters still "write-in" candidates?

Yes. They can "speak-in" at the prompt to vote for "any other organization or individual." Their selection will be transcribed and recorded on the Report of Election results. In order to maintain the confidentiality of the voting process, participants will not be able to listen to these recordings at the vote count.

8. What prevents voters from voting multiple times?

It is not possible to vote multiple times. The system has a "maximum vote count" which is set to one for each eligible voter.

9. How are eligibility rulings and status changes handled under TEV?

The same as under the mail ballot system. Electronic removal and addition of voters would be substituted for the current manual process.

10. What records regarding the TEV will the parties have access to?

As with the current system, the participants will have access to information available to them under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.

11. What is the process for requesting duplicate telephone voting instructions?

As with the current system, the process for requesting duplicate telephone voting instructions under the TEV system will be set forth in instructions sent to each voter as well as posted at each base. As with the current system, the voter must request duplicate telephone voting instructions in writing and no group requests will be honored.

12. Can voters change their votes?

Yes and no. While a voter is in the TEV system, he/she will be prompted to confirm his/her choices and can make changes accordingly. Once the voter hangs up and the ballot is successfully cast, the voter can not call again and "change" the vote. The system will recognize this as an attempt to vote more than once.

13. What do voters do if they are experiencing problems voting?

If a voter experiences problems, he/she should try again. If that fails, the voter should contact the NMB at the number provided on the Notice of Election/Telephone Voting Instructions and an OLA staff member will assist them.

14. Do voters need any special equipment to participate in TEV?

Voters need access to a touch tone phone in order to vote. Voters will not be able to vote using rotary dial or pulse phones.

Voters may use the NMB's TTY communications system as explained in the Instructions. When the voter uses the TTY communications system, the voter must identify himself or herself with the correct PIN and VIN. NMB election officials will assist the voter as necessary.

15. Is telephone voting confidential?

Yes. All NMB voting is by secret ballot. Each voter is assigned a secret, random, six-digit Voter Identification Number (VIN), and a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is the last four digits of the voter's Social Security Number. The VIN is a confidential number known only to the voter and the NMB. Use of another voter's VIN is prohibited by 18 U.S.C. § 1001.

The NMB does not disclose the ballot choice of any voter.

16. Is telephone voting secure?

Yes. The TEV process requires a VIN and a PIN to access the system. The use of VIN/PIN combinations enhances the integrity of the TEV process. In addition, the TEV system will lock a user out after repeated incorrect VIN/PIN entries. This lockout prevents hackers from "programmatically" discovering user VIN/PIN combinations. The TEV process also uses encrypted Internet communications to prevent third parties from intercepting and altering votes. The TEV process utilizes a network firewall and an intrusion detection system to prevent unauthorized access to the system.

The election is monitored for patterns of suspicious activity.

Election results cannot be viewed until the election is closed and the tally conducted, thus eliminating the possibility of manipulation.

Further information on the security and integrity of telephone voting can be found at http://www.ballotpoint.com/security.htm.