2019.01.23 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

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ASSISTIVE VOTING TECHNOLOGY Position: Washington County supports legislation that allows for alternative printed ballot styles to be used in the voting process, specifically assistive voting technology that creates a marked paper ballot indicating the voter's selection for each office by use of a touch screen or other electronic device. Issue: Assistive voting equipment allows all voters, regardless of their abilities, to vote privately and autonomously. Currently, there are three assistive voting machines certified by the Office of the Secretary of State for use in Minnesota. The most common, and the one currently used by Washington County for assistive voting, is the Automark. The Automark is the only equipment compatible with the county's existing election infrastructure. The Automark is no longer manufactured, and equipment in use is over ten years old. Because of this aging technology, voters who use it are frustrated by the poor usability. Washington County and other counties across the state are interested in upgrading their assistive voting technology with new technology that is compatible with our existing election infrastructure. One such advancement in this technology does not print a voter's selection on a pre-printed paper ballot. Instead, a voter's preferences are printed on a large receipt detailing their selection that is then fed into the ballot tabulator like every other ballot. This paper receipt is considered an alternative ballot style and current Minnesota law does not allow anything but a traditional ballot to be used when voting. The proposed technology provides complete and total independence to voters of all abilities; results in an easier -to -use assistive voting system for the voter, the poll worker, and elections administrators; reduces the expense of pre-printed ballots; eliminates unclear voter intention since the voter's completed ballot will clearly identify the voter's intent; and expands options in voting technology to ensure the specific needs of each county and its voters are met. Support and Opposition: Bills introduced that authorize these voting systems and the alternative printed ballots have had authors from both political parties and support from the Washington County legislative delegation. This legislation is supported by the Office of the Secretary of State, the Disability Advisory Committee to the Secretary's Office, the National Federation for the Blind, the Minnesota Disability Law Center, many Minnesota counties, and the Minnesota Association of County Officers. An equipment vendor competing with the county's existing vendor for market share in Minnesota has opposed this legislation in the past. Previous Consideration: Washington County actively supported this legislation in 2018. Legislation authorizing this equipment was introduced during the 90`" Legislature (2017-2018) and included in the 2018 House Omnibus Election Bill. No Omnibus Election Bill was passed in the Senate during the 2018 session. No Action: Absent legislative action Washington County and several other counties in the state would not have the option to replace assistive voting equipment with updated technology compatible with their election infrastructure. 15