Badger Books are an electronic poll book. They will be used to check voters in, print tally slips, enter registrations, and record absentee voters.
These electronic poll books work the same as paper. The actual process of voting will not change. Voters will receive paper ballots and will place those ballots in the tabulator. The tabulator is not connected to the electronic Badger Book, nor is the Badger Book connected to the internet or any other outside source. They are connected only to each other by a private network within the polling place.
What they are:
They are poll books. They check voters in and produce a voter number on a lip of paper for each voter.
They are used to register voters, and to process absentee ballots.
When voters check in, they will give their names and addresses to the election inspectors, just as they have in the past. The election inspectors will be looking up voter names electronically, rather than in paper poll books. Voter signatures will still be required, but voters will sign their names on an electronic screen using their finger or stylus.
What they are not:
They are not voting machines; you cannot cast votes on them. Voting will continue to be done on paper ballots.
They are not tabulators; they do not count votes. The vote tabulation process will not change.
They are not connected to the internet or any other outside source. They are connected to a server through a router within each polling place that allows the books to talk to each other. They communication only with each other.
The Badger Books will be used at City of Fitchburg polling places beginning with the February 18, 2020 Primary Election. If you have questions regarding the Badger Books, please contact City Clerk Tracy Oldenburg or Deputy Clerk Jami Erickson at (608) 270-4200.
Additional information may also be found at https://elections.wi.gov/elections-voting/badger-book-introduction