This summer LWVWI is launching an educational series highlighting various election security topics so we are all better informed about  processes to ensure our elections are fair, accessible, and secure. This week we are highlighting accessible voting equipment (also known as ballot marking devices). 

Accessible voting equipment is electronic voting equipment that allow voters to fill out their ballot on a touch screen, have the options read aloud to them and enables people with disabilities to cast their ballot privately and independently. 

Voters with and without disabilities can benefit from increased use and availability of this equipment.

Some benefits include:

• Reduces risk of mis marking ballot (including over voting, under voting, and cross party voting in a partisan primary election)

• Allows voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently 

• Can be used if polling place runs out of ballots

• Offers a familiar electronic process

There are several security features on electronic voting machines that make them a safe and secure way to vote. 

• There is a verifiable paper record. Voters using the accessible voting equipment receive a physical ballot or voter summary card, just like everyone else. This gives them the opportunity to review their selections and verify that their vote was recorded accurately before submitting for tabulation. This paper record also serves as an audit trail for election officials.

• Accessible voting equipment use physical and system access controls including lockable doors, tamper-evident seals and access codes. These security safeguards cannot be bypassed or deactivated.

• Accessible voting equipment is not connected to the internet.

• All accessible voting equipment used in Wisconsin is thoroughly tested by the Wisconsin Elections Commission staff and certified by the Commissioners before they are allowed to be used in our state.

Give accessible voting equipment a try next time you vote in person. Using accessible voting equipment demonstrates how important these machines are, and will encourage our election workers to have the equipment set up right when the polls open. Voting on this equipment is a great opportunity to be an ally to people with disabilities.