EAC - Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

Name : | Eugene Lee
Organization : | Asian Pacific American Legal Ctr. of So. CA
Post Date : | 9/30/2005
Section Comments
Section : | 2.2.7
Page no. : | 2-10
Line no.: |
Comment : | Comments on Volume I, Section 2, Voting System Functional Capabilities, Page 2-10 2.2.7 Human Factors The importance of human factors in the design of voting systems has become increasingly apparent. It is not sufficient that the internal operation of these systems be correct; in addition, voters and poll workers must be able to use them effectively. There are some special difficulties in the design of usable and accessible voting systems: • The voting task itself can be fairly complex; the voter may have to navigate an electronic ballot, choose multiple candidates in a single race or decide on abstrusely worded referenda. • Voting is performed infrequently, so there is limited opportunity for voters and poll workers to gain familiarity with the process. • Jurisdictions may change voting equipment, thus obviating whatever familiarity the voter might have acquired. • Once the ballot has been cast by the voter, there is no provision for subsequent correction. • Voting must be accessible to all eligible citizens, whatever their physical abilities, language skills, or experience with technology.