Wednesday, October 2, 2002
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Wednesday, October 2, 2002 |
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What Fayette County voters can expect
Fayette County, along with all of Georgia, will be using new electronic voting units in the November elections. Voters can expect a number of changes most of them positive, according to those who voted on the machines in the primary election. A concern voiced by many across the state has been that seniors will not adapt well to the changes and may stay away from the polls. To counter that concern, a strong emphasis has been placed on education. In numerous tests across the state seniors have adapted well and given the new system high marks. While Fayette County has fewer voting stations overall than they have had in the past, local election officials are not expecting longer-than-usual waiting lines. Voter turnout is expected to be in the 50 percent range. Fayette County expects to purchase additional machines prior to the presidential election, which traditionally has a much higher turnout. Returning voters will not notice any difference in procedures until the end of the normal sign-in process. Rather than receiving a paper ballot, voters will be given a voter access card, which looks like a credit card. The card does not contain any personal information and is used simply to access and display the ballot at any of the open voting stations. Voters will have more freedom in some regards than they have in the past. Those who have some difficulty reading smaller print can request an access card that brings up a large print screen magnifying the ballot 40 percent. Additionally, there will be one ADA-configured unit in each precinct. A special access card permits the use of headphones, allowing visually impaired individuals to vote without assistance. The unit will have a keypad to enable access for individuals with unique requirements. The access card is inserted into the voting station to display the ballot. Votes are cast by touching the screen. The screen does not allow the voter to select more than one candidate in any given race. Once a selection is made, the "X" next to other names vanishes. However, if a mistake is made, simply touching the name of the candidate voted for in error "erases" the vote and allows the voter to make the correct selection. Each race is on its own "page." After voting in all races, a summary page is displayed showing all votes cast and all races skipped or "under-voted." The voter is given the opportunity at that point to go back and make any corrections or to vote in missed races. Once the "Cast Ballot" button on the summary screen is touched, the vote is final and cannot be changed. The access card is turned in after voting to be re-programmed. Once a card has been used it cannot be used again until it is programmed. According to county elections director Carolyn Combs, every registered voter will be mailed a flyer with voting instructions for the new electronic system. A demo electronic booth is set up at the Fayette County Board of Elections and is available for a demonstration during normal working hours. Funds were also allotted by the state to hire a Voter Education Coordinator to demonstrate the new system at the local level. Chasity Manning, Fayette County's coordinator, can be reached at 770-716-2585 or 404-432-8586 or via email, chasitylynn@cs.com. The Secretary of State has provided an online tutorial, using a mouse rather than a touch screen, at http://www.georgiacounts.com/. Instruction flyers are also available at the Fayette County Board of Elections.
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