Datacard Group Introduces Configurable Voter Registration Solution; Software Automates Voter Check-in and Data Processing, Eliminating the Need for Paper-Based Registration at Local Precincts.

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Datacard Group, the world leader in secure ID and card personalization solutions, today introduced the Datacard(R) electronic polling book solution, a powerful and user-friendly software application that helps local precincts improve efficiency, accuracy and security at polling sites.

This intuitive application allows voters to go to any station to check in, eliminating the need for the traditional practice of splitting polling books into alphabetical sections and requiring people to wait in long, uneven lines at polling sites. The electronic polling book solution uses a simple point-and-click process to quickly find voters in a database and admit them. After the polls close, the solution makes it easy to export the precinct's voter turnout data and send the files back to the election administrator's office.

Williamsburg, Virginia poll workers used the electronic polling book solution for the June 14, 2005 Virginia Dual Party Primary Election to process voters at its two precincts. "We were very pleased to find a configurable solution that didn't require costly proprietary hardware," said David Andrews, general registrar for the City of Williamsburg. "The software's open architecture design made it easy to load onto off-the-shelf laptop computers," he said.

The electronic polling book solution eliminates the costs associated with the printing, delivering and storing of paper polling books. It reduces the time involved searching through the polling books and minimizes the potential for error involved in the manual checking in of voters. In addition, poll workers can use the solution to direct people who came to the wrong polling place to their appropriate precinct, even if they are registered in a different locality.

"While it usually takes up to eight weeks to receive basic statistics such as the list of voters and age and gender demographics, the electronic polling book solution provided us with results that could be immediately shared with candidates, political parties and the media," said Andrews.

"Williamsburg is an excellent example of how we can leverage our expertise and understanding of government requirements to meet the public's growing demand for fast, accurate election processes, said Tom Schlick, senior vice president of global services and solutions for Datacard Group. "In addition to providing a complete solution, we teamed with our local dealer, BEC Solutions, to provide effective onsite technical support for this important government process," he said.

Datacard Group offers the world's best-selling secure ID and card personalization solutions. The company's portfolio includes systems for high-volume card issuance, card delivery, secure ID issuance and passport production, plus extensive service and supply offerings. Datacard Group serves customers in more than 120 countries (www.datacard.com).