For the upcoming Nov. 3 General Election the Board of Elections will once again be providing the ImageCast Ballot Marking Device (BMD) at each polling location throughout the county for voters with handicapping conditions.
Ballot marking devices allow persons with disabilities to vote independently. The machine is a scroll through touch screen device equipped with an audio component to be used with headphones. The device is also equipped with a sip and puff feature; multiple language capabilities; digital format to allow for speeding up or slowing the reading of instructions or races; and alerts for over or under votes.
Visually impaired or blind voters can use a tactile keypad and earphones to make selections as a programmed synthesized voice reads the choices for each race. The machine confirms the ballot by reading back the choices and once the voter has made all selections, the machine imprints the ovals on the ballot. It is important to note that this device simply marks the ballot, but does not count the votes. The voted ballot is placed in an envelope and returned to the Board of Elections for processing and counting.
For voters who do not have a personal means of transportation, Long Island Bus provides Able Ride that can be arranged up to 7 days in advance by calling 228-4000 or 228-4002 (TTY).
Handicapped Accessible Voting Machine Demonstration
The Nassau County Board of Elections will have a handicapped accessible Ballot Marking Device (BMD) available for practice purposes at 400 County Seat Drive in Mineola beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27 through and including Monday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access to the building will be in the rear with a handicapped accessible ramp. Board of Elections staff will be on hand to guide voters through the voting process. In order to ensure proper employee coverage during the visit to the Board of Elections, those who wish to practice on the device are asked to call the board prior to the visit at 516-571-VOTE.
For voters who do not have a personal means of transportation, Long Island Bus provides Able Ride which can be arranged up to 7 days in advance by calling 228-4000 or 228-4002 (TTY).
