Voter Card Export Files

Note: Although this topic is concerned with voter information cards, you can use the same procedure to export any type of mailout file to a commercial printer. The only difference is in the document you use. For voter information cards, use the document Voter Card, as described below. For other documents, you must create the document layout, specifying Form as the Document Type, and selecting the fields to be included in the export file. Also, be sure that the option Document printed from Notices Queue is selected.

A voter card export file is an extract of county voter information that can be delivered to a commercial printer for the preparation of mass mailings of voter information cards to voters. The file lists all voters whose registration status is Active, including Overseas and Military Voters. You have the option of also including Inactive voters. If you are mailing to voters whose normal polling place has permanently changed, you can restrict the mailing to voters in the affected precinct(s).

The voter card file includes all database fields selected for the document Voter ID Card, which is defined in Document Maintenance.

Creation of a voter card export file is a two-step process:

  • Scheduling the cards via REPORTING > Flexible Reports. The scheduling process overwrites any voter cards that are currently scheduled, so you don’t need to worry about voters getting multiple cards.

  • Generating the export file via PRINTING > Notices Queue. Generating the file creates a communications entry in the record of each voter in the file.

Voter Focus outputs the export file as a straight text (TXT) file. Before sending the file to the commercial printer, you’ll need to examine it for errors. If you find problems, fix them and do the run again. The file that goes to the commercial printer must be error-free.