Technical Support

The following support will be available from the QVF Help Desk and BOE Election Specialists prior to and on Election Day:

* Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5:  The QVF Help Desk will provide on-call support from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

* Monday, August 6:  Election Specialists and the QVF Help Desk will be available from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

* Election Day (Tuesday, August 7):  Election Specialists and the QVF Help Desk will be available
from 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

*NOTE:  If your call goes to voicemail, please leave a detailed message and your call will be returned as quickly as possible.

The number for the QVF Help Desk is:  800-310- 5697

Numbers that can be used to reach Election Specialists: 800-292-5973 or 517-373-0065.

Review the Bureau of Elections Contact Information Who to Contact listing to get connected to the correct division faster.

Voting Equipment Vendor Contacts: Click here for
list

QVF Help Desk FAQ’s

The following questions are the most asked of the QVF Help Desk right before an election.  Look here first for quick solutions! 

Q: What is the process for downloading my EPB?

A: The EPB files should be downloaded from QVF Legacy (old) or EMP (if this is what you used prior to QVF Refresh).  The process is as follows if you are a QVF Refresh user:  1) Enter all av information into QVF Refresh, 2) Wait 15 minutes, 3) Log into QVF Legacy (old) and download the EPB per the EPB Manual. *Note:  QVF Replica Users must manually replicate after Step 2 above before they download their file.  QVF Legacy users follow the usual process. 

Q: Where do I get my paper precinct list and why do I need one?

A: QVF Legacy. QVF Replica or QVF Lite users may print their own precinct list or may get theirs from the county clerk. EMP-only users get their paper precinct lists from the county clerk. Paper precinct lists are required in case of a computer or power outage.  Never turn voters away or ask them to return later because of technical problems. 

Q: Can the QVF Help Desk reset my password for QVF Legacy, QVF Refresh, or EMP?

A: No.  All passwords need to be reset by the system’s Forgot Password link.  QVF Replica password resets must be performed by the local QVF Administrative User.  If you are still having issues, the “Forgot Username” link can be used.

Q: My account is locked. Now what do I do?

A: The QVF Help Desk staff cannot override a timed lockout. Please wait for your time to expire and use the Forgot Password link.

Q: I can’t export my EPB because the disk is full/the parameter is incorrect. Now what should I do?

A: Log into your encrypted flash drive. If you’re using a Verbatim flash drive, open the Public Zone and log into V-Safe to get into the Privacy Zone.  If you’re using a flash drive encrypted with Bitlocker, log into Bitlocker.  

Q: The EPB won’t take my encryption password. Now what do I do?

A: You set the encryption password when you download the EPB files from QVF/EMP. Close the EPB, turn to the end of your manual to follow instructions to uninstall the EPB program, delete the EPB files from your flash drive, and start over. 

Q: I’m trying to process AV ballots in my EPB but the button’s greyed out.

A: To enable select the following:  File, options, click “Enable recording of Absentee Ballots.” Review the EPB Tips for Success document for more helpful tips. 

Q: How do I add another ballot style to my Ballot Summary?

A: User the tab key to add another row to the Ballot Summary.

Handling
Emergencies on Election Day

Before conducting elections on Tuesday, August 7, it is important to take a moment or two to review emergency procedures.  Remember County and local clerks cannot shorten or extend the polling hours unless and until directed to do so by individuals who retain the proper legal authority. 

If an emergency occurs within your jurisdiction which could potentially interrupt the voting process or closes one or more polling places in your jurisdiction, take direction from local law enforcement officials and call the Bureau of Elections as soon as possible.  If it is necessary to evacuate a polling place for any reason, instruct the precinct board to take possession of the poll book before leaving the polling place.

If an emergency occurs outside your jurisdiction which raises questions over the interruption of the voting process or the suspension of the election, do not take action unless or until you receive direction from the Bureau of Elections.  Polling hours cannot be extended beyond 8:00 p.m. without a court order.  The Bureau of Elections will send a News Update for urgent communications.  Be sure to check your email throughout the day.

Write-In Candidates
(State Listing Included)

Precinct Delegate Write-In
Candidates may file a Declaration of Intent up until 4 p.m. on Friday, August 3rd and then again on Election Day.

Important Points to Remember for all Write-In votes:

* A write -in vote cast for an individual who has not filed a Declaration of Intent does not count.

* The local Clerk is responsible for notifying election inspectors of all candidates that have filed a Declaration of Intent.

* Election Inspectors must record write -in votes exactly as cast. Every name variation is recorded on a separate line.

* Tally marks must be used to record the tally of votes.

Write-In Candidates have filed for State and federal level offices. Provide this 2018 State Primary Write-In Candidate Listing to your election inspectors.

For full instruction on Write-In Candidates review the Write-In section of the Managing Your
Precinct on Election Day - Election Inspectors' Flipchart. And for more information on Precinct
Delegates, watch the Precinct Delegates election inspector training video.

Recording Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) Ballots

As a reminder, there are two methods for recording VAT ballots:

1. Use special blank stock with perforated numbered stubs - review the Recording VAT Ballots in the EPB Instructional Document for details

2. Use a stub from a regular ballot and a VAT Ballot Storage Envelope - review the Stubbed Regular Ballots for VAT Instructional Document for details

Election Officials'
Accreditation Sessions

As a reminder two sessions of Election Officials' Accreditation for new clerks have been scheduled for August 16 & 17 or August 21 & 22. This in person class is one part of the Initial Accreditation Curriculum found in the Elections eLearning Center.

The class will be held from 9- 4:30 each day at Delta Township Hall; near Lansing MI.

All new clerks are required to attend the 2 day in person class as part of the initial curriculum.
Other new election officials are also welcome.

This class is only for people who have not attended the in- person accreditation previously.
Registration is required via the eLearning Center.

BOE Question of the Week:

I've issued more absentee ballots than I normally do for an August primary election.  Should I be concerned?

Answer:  Absent voter ballot turnout is often indicative of an overall increase in turnout.  As the local election official, you should certainly evaluate your AV turnout with other factors, such as any concerted efforts to increase your permanent AV list versus a highly contested race or local proposal.  Be sure to review your ballot orders and if necessary, contact your county clerk to order more if quantities are already running low.

State-wide there has been a fairly dramatic increase in the number of absent voter ballots issued when compared to the August 2014 Primary election data.  But this increase varies greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  Some have not seen an increase at all and others have seen much larger increases.   

Have a question you'd  like to see
in the Question of the Week?  Send it to elections@michigan.gov.