Behind The Ballot Step 2

To complete step 2, Investigate the Ins and Outs of Voting, I decided to Explore Voter Technology. I first explored different voting technologies and how they vary from state to state.

The main voting technologies are:

Optical Scan- a marked ballot read by a computer

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE)- an electronic device that you directly cast your vote on

Hand Counted Paper Ballots: marked ballot counted by hand

And I found this map of what states use what tecnologies

The most common method seems to be Optical Scan followed by DRE

I also had to research the ways voting is made accessible to the differently able. I concluded that voting isn't accessible enough, but their are many ways it is becoming accessible.

• Adjustable Voting Machines

• Braille Instructions

• Sip and Puff Tubes

• Dedicated helpers

• Ballot Marker Grippers

• Magnifying Lenses

• Audio Ballots

• Audio Visual Ballots

• Door Bells

• Threshold Ramps

• Curbside Voting

Finally I researched the push towards voting over the internet. I concluded the cons currently outweigh the pros, but maybe someday security will improve, causing the balance to shift.

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