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Phase 2: The Help America Vote Act requires that
each polling location have a voting system that is accessible for voters with
disabilities, “including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually
impaired, in a manner that provides for the same opportunity for access and
participation”. Currently, the
only such accessible voting systems certified for use in the State of Colorado
are Direct Record Electronic (DRE) machines. Until recently, it was believed that these DRE machines were
the only viable solution in meeting the accessibility requirements of
HAVA. Another system, produced by
Election Systems & Software (ES&S), was recently certified by the
National Association of State Election Directors (NASED). This system works as a ballot marking
device for paper ballots and may also meet the HAVA accessibility
requirements. The Boulder County
Clerk and Recorder will research this system to see if it is indeed compliant
with HAVA, and if it will be certified by the State in time for use in the 2006
Primary Election. Before the 2006
Primary Election, Boulder County will have at least one DRE or other accessible
voting system in every polling location to provide accessibility and
convenience to voters with, or without, disabilities. |