Method and apparatus for ink-based electronic voting

A voting apparatus, comprising:

• an input board adapted to receive a ballot;
• and
• an electronic probe adapted to electronically indicate a vote and create an ink mark of said vote on said ballot, whereby said indication is captured for vote tabulation, wherein said electronic probe further comprises:
• an ink ejection coil unit;
• an electrical means for transmitting an electrical signal to said election box unit;
• and
• an electromagnetic ink-regulation means for preventing invalid votes by regulating release of ink from said ink ejection coil unit to ensure valid vote marks on said ballot.

A voting apparatus, comprising:

• an input board adapted to receive a ballot;
• and
• an electronic probe adapted to indicate a vote and create an ink mark of said vote on said ballot, whereby said indication is captured for vote tabulation;
• wherein said ink ejection coil unit further comprises:
• a spring-loaded head;
• a contact;
• an electro-magnet;
• an ink cartridge magnetically held in place by said electromagnet, whereby when said electronic probe is depressed into a valid input point on said input board, a current is directed at said electromagnet to release its magnetic hold on said ink cartridge to release ink in said ink cartridge;
• an electrical means for generating said electrical signal;
• wherein said electromagnet maintains its magnetic hold on said ink cartridge when said electronic probe is depressed into an input point that corresponds to an overvote.