EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Doug Hall
Organization : | N/A
Post Date : | 9/30/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 2.2.7
Page no. : |
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Comment : | I understand that the Election Assistance Commission is in the process of updating and revising standards and guidelines for accessible voting under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). In reviewing some of the proposed changes, I am dismayed that, instead of increasing mandates for independent and secret voting, it appears that the EAC seems to be making it a "voluntary" or "should" guideline. Please strengthen mandates, not weaken them! First of all, I am not against the previous FEC 2002 mandates for use of DRE voting equipment to achieve independent and secret voting for all citizens of our Country. After all, I am blind, so have never become dependent on seeing a ballot, nor have I been able to independently verify my votes. Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) does not increase the validity of elections, nor does it decrease the instances of fraud, but if VVPAT is required, I insist that the same accessibility standards must be used in its implementation. That is, if voter verified paper ballots are to be used, voters who are blind, must be able to independently check the accuracy of the ballot's results (not depend on a sighted person to read it) and voters with dexterity disabilities must be able to independently access and manipulate the ballot (not depend on an able-bodied assistant). The technology for making voting truly accessible is already available, so there is no excuse for delaying or continuing the practice of making people with disabilities second class citizens. I am especially unhappy of the draft's use of "should" when speaking to the provision of accessible services by entities. "Should" means that something is a good idea, but does not demand that it be done. I suggest that "shall" or "must" are more appropriate terms in many instances. Recent political and court decisions, especially here in Florida, clearly indicate that the wording of standards and legislation is critical.