Help America Vote Act

HAVA requires each polling location have at least one voting system accessible to individuals with disabilities, including non-visual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.

The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal

The ES&S (Elections Systems & Software) AutoMARK is a breakthrough ballot-marking technology that allows voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently when using an optical scan voting system. It does not tally or store votes; rather, it is a ballot-marking system designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way. In addition, the technology provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking a different language or who need help to better understand written instructions.

The ES&S AutoMARK guarantees that an optical scan balloting device will capture voter intent. No more over-votes. No more miss-marked ballots. Unique software applications ensure that no more than the proper number of candidates can be chosen for each race. An audio function allows blind voters or those with severely impaired vision to listen to the choices through headphones. The audio is a synthesized voice enabling the voter to control the speed in which the ballot is read. Voters can also choose to repeat the choices, if necessary. The audio function also allows a voter to review a marked ballot after their choices are made. The system supports write-in candidates.

A sip/puff tube is used by voters who are not able to use the touch screen or touch pad. A zoom feature enables the voters to increase the font size of each race listed on the optical scan ballot. This may be especially helpful for voters who are sighted but have limited vision.
essvote.com

Absentee ballots are still available from your town clerk’s office.

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