Now the visually do not need assistance to vote

Indiana election officials saw for the first time how voters who are blind or visually impaired could vote using paper ballots without assistance.

The Indiana Election Commission had already certified the Automark voting machine by Election Systems and Software. The machine allows those with visual disabilities to vote using optical-scan ballots like those used by Marion County voters in the last election.

Voters read the ballots by listening to audio with headphones and using braille-labeled buttons to cast votes.

“Now we have the technology that can help people so that they can actually vote privately and independently just like any other voter without a disability,” said Kristi Robertson (D-Co-director, Indiana Election Division).

“For people with disabilities such as those without sight, that's been an impossible thing in the past. They've had to have assistance from a friend or relative and trust and rely on that person to have that ballot marked in accordance with their wishes,” said Brad King (R-Co-director, Indiana Election Division).

The federal Help America Vote Act mandates that every precinct must have one voting machine accessible to all voters. Counties that purchase machines that comply with the mandate would be reimbursed with federal funds.