Global Election Systems Inc. - Announcement.

Business Editors

MCKINNEY, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2001

Global Election Systems Inc. (AMEX: GLE; TSE: GSM) today announced that since the 2000 U.S. presidential election, it has engaged in preliminary discussions with a variety of potential partners regarding topics ranging from strategic alliances to the acquisition of the Company.

Global Election continues to discuss potential transactions with various entities; however, no offers have been received. Global's Board of Directors will evaluate all appropriate opportunities, and will seek to maximize the long-term value to company shareholders.

"We are excited about the positive attention our voting system products have received since last November," said Robert J. Urosevich, Global's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Increased awareness of the issues facing our industry, at the general public level as well as among federal, state and local officials, only serves to hasten market acceptance of our superior products and services. While we are pleased with the interest shown in Global, no assurance can be given that the discussions held to date will lead to an offer, or that any such offer will be acceptable to the Board or to our shareholders. In the meantime, it's business as usual at Global. We will continue preparing for the new market dynamics introduced by the developments of last fall."

Further disclosure will be made at the appropriate time.

This release includes statements which predict or forecast future events, depend on future events for their accuracy or embody assumptions which may prove to have been inaccurate. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, expectations that any potential business transaction will be consummated and expectations that any such business transaction, if it occurs, will result in strategic benefits and/or market value increases. Global cautions that these forward-looking statements, and Global's business and prospects, are subject to a number of factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, including: the possibility that Global will decide not to pursue any such business transaction; Global's failure to obtain investor recognition for the full value of Global following the completion of such a business transaction; potential adverse effects of the changing industry environment; and delays in the normal purchasing cycles and the resultant negative impact on Global's sales and revenues. These and other factors are described in Global's periodic reports available from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Global's Form 10-K for fiscal year 2000 and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO GLOBAL'S WEBSITE www.globalelection.com

The Toronto Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Commission have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.