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Voting Machines For The Visually Impaired To Debut Today
OCEAN COUNTY - Today November 7 - Election Day - will mark the first time visually impaired voters can go to the polls and cast their ballots using a new audio voting system.
"Our goal is to accommodate any voter who wishes to exercise their rights and vote at a polling place," said Freeholder John P. Kelly.
A voter who wishes to take advantage of the news system will be provided with headphones and a simple remote device with four large buttons.
Two triangular buttons move through a recorded list of the candidates, their political parties and the office they are seeking.
A circular button is used to vote for a candidate and a square button provides audio instructions about the system.
"Poll workers have also been trained on how to use the audio voting and will be ready to assist voters on Election Day," Kelly said.
"Every polling place will have at least one machine equipped for audio voting," said Kelly.
The county used federal dollars to purchase 378 audio add-ons at a cost of $472,500. "The cost was covered 100 percent by federal money," Kelly said.
Election Board officials demonstrated the new system at the Toms River office of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
"Once word spreads on how easy this audio voting system is, more and more people will come out to the polls," Kelly said.
Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said it's important that the voting process be fully accessible to all citizens.
"The polls should be open to anyone who wants to participate," Little said. "We encourage everyone who wants a roll in deciding who governs their nation, state, county and town to cast their ballot in-person on Election Day."
Anyone wishing to practice using a machine can schedule an appointment with the Ocean County Board of Elections, 129 Hooper Ave in Toms River. Please call 732-929-2167 for more information.
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