Introduction

A Smart Voting Machine (SVM) is an electronic system designed to simplify the voting process by replacing traditional ballot boxes. It records votes digitally, reduces human error, and ensures secure and transparent elections.

This project is useful for educational purposes, student elections, and small-scale polling demonstrations.

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Objective of the Project

• To simplify the voting process using electronics
• To record votes digitally and securely
• To display vote counts in real-time
• To prevent manual errors and enhance transparency

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Working Principle

1. Each candidate is assigned a button or switch
2. A microcontroller (Arduino/ESP32) records the vote when a button is pressed
3. Votes are stored in the system memory or optionally sent to a cloud server via IoT
4. LCD/OLED display shows vote count for each candidate
5. Optional security features like password protection can be added
6. System ensures one vote per person with reset mechanisms

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Components Required

• Arduino Uno / ESP32
• Push Buttons (one per candidate)
• 16×2 LCD or OLED Display
• Buzzer (for vote confirmation)
• LEDs (optional, for candidate indication)
• Resistors (220Ω for LEDs)
• Jumper wires and power supply

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Block Diagram

Push Buttons (Candidates)
         ↓
   Microcontroller (Arduino/ESP32)
         ↓
LCD / OLED Display
         ↓
Buzzer (Vote Confirmation)
         ↓
Optional: IoT Cloud / Mobile App

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Circuit Connections (Arduino Example)

Push Buttons

Button 1 → D2
Button 2 → D3
Button 3 → D4
Each button connected to GND (INPUT_PULLUP)

LCD 16×2

RS → D7
EN → D6
D4 → D5
D5 → D4
D6 → D3
D7 → D2
VSS → GND
VDD → 5V
V0 → Potentiometer middle pin

Buzzer

+ → D8
- → GND

LEDs (Optional)

Red LED for Candidate 1 → D9
Green LED for Candidate 2 → D10
Blue LED for Candidate 3 → D11
Each with 220Ω series resistor

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Arduino Code (Smart Voting Machine)

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

LiquidCrystal lcd(7,6,5,4,3,2);

int button1 = 2;
int button2 = 3;
int button3 = 4;
int buzzer = 8;

int votes1 = 0;
int votes2 = 0;
int votes3 = 0;

void setup() {
  pinMode(button1, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(button2, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(button3, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(buzzer, OUTPUT);
  
  lcd.begin(16,2);
  lcd.print("Smart Voting Machine");
  delay(2000);
  lcd.clear();
}

void loop() {
  if(digitalRead(button1) == LOW) {
    votes1++;
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.print("Candidate 1: ");
    lcd.print(votes1);
    digitalWrite(buzzer, HIGH);
    delay(200);
    digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
  
  if(digitalRead(button2) == LOW) {
    votes2++;
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.print("Candidate 2: ");
    lcd.print(votes2);
    digitalWrite(buzzer, HIGH);
    delay(200);
    digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
  
  if(digitalRead(button3) == LOW) {
    votes3++;
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.print("Candidate 3: ");
    lcd.print(votes3);
    digitalWrite(buzzer, HIGH);
    delay(200);
    digitalWrite(buzzer, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
}

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Code Explanation

• Each button press corresponds to a candidate vote
• Arduino increments the vote count for the respective candidate
• LCD displays current votes in real-time
• Buzzer confirms a successful vote
• Optional IoT integration can send results to cloud for remote monitoring

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Advantages

• Simple and easy-to-use voting system
• Reduces manual errors in counting
• Real-time vote display
• Can be extended to large-scale elections with IoT

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Applications

• Student council elections
• College or office voting systems
• Club or organization voting
• Smart and secure electronic voting demonstrations

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Future Enhancements

• Add password or ID authentication for secure voting
• IoT integration for remote vote counting and live results
• RFID or QR-based voter verification
• Multiple voting booths with centralized results

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Conclusion

The Smart Voting Machine is a mini + innovation project that demonstrates automation, electronics, and secure digital record-keeping. It is an efficient, reliable, and modern solution for voting in schools, colleges, offices, and small-scale elections.