By Steve Jacobson

Did you start to read this to get advice as to which candidate should receive your vote this fall? If you did, you're out of luck! What this covers is not which candidate to vote for, but which method to place the mark on your ballot for the desired candidate.

In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed because of the many problems with the presidential and other elections in 2000. Part of this Act requires that there must be an accessible method to vote available for persons with disabilities, including those of us who are blind, at each polling place. In addition, Minnesota passed a state version of HAVA that generally covers state and local elections.

Minnesota has chosen to use a machine called the AutoMark. This machine communicates the ballot in a number of ways and prints your selections on the same ballot used by everyone else. However, if you desire, you can still vote as you always have, with the help of someone you bring along or with assistance from election judges. Using the AutoMark is easy, though, and it is very important that we make use of this new option as much as possible.

If you choose to use the AutoMark, you will receive the same ballot as all voters. You insert the unmarked ballot into a slot on the AutoMark machine and it speaks instructions and displays them on its built-in screen. There are also options to enhance the contrast, change the color or even the appearance of the text.

A number of options are available to make your selections. Most of us will use the small keypad that, among other keys, has four arrow keys. The UP and DOWN ARROW keys are generally used to choose between candidates within a single race while the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys go to the previous and next races. A button in the center of the arrow keys makes the selection. You can also change the speed at which the ballot is spoken and adjust the volume. For privacy, the ballot is read using headphones, and the screen can easily be turned off so nobody else can see how you are voting.

There are other ways to mark a ballot as well. The screen is touch-sensitive, so you can mark your choice with your finger or a pointer, and there is provision for a sip-and-puff switch for those who have no use of their hands.

Once you have completed your ballot, it is marked with a printer inside the AutoMark and the ballot emerges from the slot. You then bring the ballot to the ballot counter and put it in the counter's slot just as if you had marked it by hand. In general, the election judges will be able to help you at any point if you have questions, but you will be surprised how easy it is. However, if you are not yet convinced, you will likely be able to get some hands-on experience at our annual convention in October.

This is the first presidential election since accessible voting machines have been required, and the election turnout will probably be large. Therefore, it is quite possible that there will be some problems. There are hundreds or even thousands of polling sites, and several election judges must be trained at each site. As the election approaches, we will have more information on phone numbers you can call to report any difficulties, and of course you can contact the NFB of Minnesota as well. Future solutions will happen only if you patiently and accurately report problems.

We have come a great distance regarding accessible voting, but there are still issues to be resolved. A number of NFB of Minnesota members have actively worked to reach a compromise regarding township elections that occur in March. Also, there are indications that there could be resistance to using accessible machines in other local elections that do not take place at the same time as state and federal elections. However, we will continue to work to resolve such difficulties, but there should be no reason for your polling site not to have an accessible machine this November or for the primary elections that occur sooner. Besides doing our duty as American citizens, we need to use accessible voting machines to demonstrate that they are worth the added cost and effort. In years to come, many people in addition to those of us who are blind will use voting machines like the AutoMark, and that use will be just another part of the election process. For now, though, be a pioneer on the cutting edge of technology, and help blaze a trail for the generations to come.