[NFBMT] Voting Accessibility in Montana

Thu Aug 2 08:50:08 UTC 2018

FYI, from the web site of the Montana Secretary of State.  Joy 

Voters with Disabilities

Montana's Statewide Elections have various options for voters with
disabilities or voters who need special assistance, including the new
Electronic Ballot Request System (EBRS), available for state and federal
elections beginning 30 days before election day and through noon the day
before election day.

.EBRS - Overview

.EBRS - Voter FAQs

.Large Print Voter Information Pamphlet

.Audio Voter Information Pamphlet

.Braille Voter Information Pamphlet Available on Request

.Every polling place in Montana has at least one specialized voting machine,
called an AutoMARK, that enables people with disabilities to vote
independently and privately.

.If you cannot enter a polling place, election judges will assist you with
"curbside voting."

.If you have a physical disability or are unable to read or write, you may
ask an election judge to help you mark your ballot. Or, you can bring any
individual (other than your employer or employer's agent or union agent) who,
with the permission of the election judge, can go into the voting booth with
you and help you vote.

.You may also designate an agent to assist you with the voting process on the
Designation of Agent by Individual with Disability form. Deliver the signed
application to your local election office.

.You may apply for an electronic ballot that can be marked on your personal
computer, printed and returned by mail or in person to the election office.

.The Voter Information Pamphlet published by the Secretary of State for each
state general election is available in Braille and audio formats.

.Accessible Forms

Contact soselections at mt.gov <mailto:soselections at mt.gov>  if you have a
voting accessibility suggestion or concern.

Accessible Voting Equipment

The Secretary of State's office and the 56 counties of Montana have teamed up
to offer the ES&S AutoMARKT, ballot-marking technology that allows voters
with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and
independently.

The ES&S AutoMARKT voter assist terminal 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. The technology
also provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking
a different language or who need help to better understand written
instructions.

.Information on using the AutoMARK

AutoMARK Voting Instructions

The following are the steps necessary to vote on the AutoMARK:

1.The election judge will take the stub off of your ballot and will place
your ballot in a secrecy sleeve. The stub must be removed for the AutoMARK to
read the ballot.

2.You will then insert the secrecy sleeve into the AutoMARK so the AutoMARK
accepts your ballot. The secrecy sleeve will stay in the AutoMARK so that
your ballot will remain secret when it is printed out by the machine. You may
wish to ask the election judge for headphones, which you can use to hear the
computer voice that will read the ballot to you. Also, if you are using the
headphones, you can press the diamond-shaped "screen" button at the top right
of the AutoMARK to completely darken the screen so that you are certain that
no one can see your votes.

3.If you are an individual with low or no vision, you can use the keypad that
is on the right side of the machine to navigate through your choices. The
computer voice will read your choices to you. You can also change the
contrast and font size to make the screen easier to read. The keypad has
raised buttons in the shape of arrows for ease of use, and also has Braille
markings for people who are able to read Braille.

4.Make your choices for candidates and ballot issues. After you are done
making your choices, the AutoMARK will confirm them to you, allow you to
change and confirm them, and will mark and print your ballot so that it comes
out into the secrecy sleeve. Putting the ballot back into the machine will
allow it to read your ballot and confirm that the machine accurately marked
your choices, if you would like for it do so.

5.An election judge will take your ballot while it is still in the secrecy
sleeve and drop it into the ballot box for counting.

Joy Breslauer, President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/> 

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