The City of Vancouver uses a system of automated voting called the "Accu-Vote." This system is manufactured by Global Election Systems, which is based in Vancouver. The system was developed and is supported locally.

The City first used an automated voting system in 1988. Vancouver was a pioneer in this method of voting, being the first city in British Columbia, and the second in Canada (after Toronto), to introduce optical scan automated voting equipment.

After use in three general local elections (1988, 1990, 1993), the original OPTECH III-P system was replaced by the Accu-Vote system in 1996. Accu-Vote works essentially the same as the original system, but is considered more technically advanced and reliable.

In a March 14, 1996 report to Council, staff recommended upgrading the City's automated voting system. Click here to see the report.

In a June 27, 1996 report to Council, staff recommended purchase of the Accu-Vote system. Click here to see the report.

Accu-Vote is a portable ballot scan vote tabulator. The unit sits atop a specially-designed ballot box with two separate compartments: one section holds voted ballots after tabulation; and the other holds voted ballots for later tabulation in the event of a system problem.

The Accu-Vote system uses only one large ballot that has candidate names for all offices and questions clearly printed on both sides. The voter casts his/her vote by using a special marking pen to fill in an oval "O" next to the voter's choice. Accu-Vote reads the ballot as it is deposited into the ballot box, stores the information and prints cumulative totals of all votes cast after the close of voting.

The Accu-vote system was used in 1996 and 1999 Vancouver elections, and will be used for the 2002 election. It has proven to be very accurate, easily used by voters, and capable of providing final election results within hours following the close of voting.

Work at the voting place is also considerably reduced, as manual counting and tabulation of votes cast is no longer required.