April 26, 2023 By The League of Women Voters
As part of the League of Women Voters of Hingham’s efforts to promote access to the AutoMark voting device which removes barriers for voters, League members Nancy Criscitello and Eva Marx have pursued AutoMark usage at Linden Ponds. Using the Automark device with its multiple modality applications at all of Hingham polling locations allows all voters to vote privately and independently with a paper ballot.
The machine presents several features for addressing barriers such as tremors, sight limitations, language processing, and an inability to read. It prevents over-voting, accidentally marking too many candidates; and minimizes undervoting, skipping a race unintentionally. At the end, the votes are summarized on the screen, also via headphones, and voters have a chance to change selections. AutoMark provides an audio ballot; tempo control voice technology; directions and a touch pad with Braille; repeat key voice technology; sip/puff tube for paraplegics and quadriplegics; and zoom and contrast button for the visually impaired.
During a program on Linden Ponds TV 918 Eva joined resident Christine Griffin in a discussion of the availability of AutoMark to voters in the upcoming town election. This included showing a closed caption video produced by the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board demonstrating the use of the AutoMark machine. Information about the availability of AutoMark was also included in the April issue of Linden Ponds Resident Advisory Council monthly newsletter.
Ensuring all citizens have the opportunity to vote whether accommodations are needed is a core tenet of the League’s mission. See you at the polls on Saturday, April 29 th from 8:00 am -8:00pm. Be sure to wear your sticker proudly!