AutoMark Questionnaire

Question/Response	Tabulation	Comments
1. How Did you learn about the AutoMark?
Polling place	3
Election judge Training
Radio/Television	2
Township meeting	2
Auditors office	1
Publicity
National Federation of the Blind	25
Access Press	2
American Council of the Blind	5
Part of Working Group
Demonstrations	3
State Services for the Blind	4
City Clerk
Disability Law Center
Word of Mouth	5
Other	13	Past voting I helped with the HAVA legislation, and tested the various machines through the National Federation of the Blind and set-ups in Minnesota Secretary of States office(2) Variety of Ways Through VLR Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities(2) MN state fair Duluth Lighthouse for the Blind Advocate for deaf/blind pop, of MN knew about it. Involved with process from beginning(2) MDLC VIP program MSSB River bend Chapter at New Ulm
2. Was the AutoMark easy to understand and use?
Yes	64	It took some getting used to Although I am not fully aware of how the keys to the right of the screen work yet, I am able to use the redundant controls clearly marked on the bottom of the display I had a verbal explanation from a staff person in the Auditor's office The directions are very clear, and it could skip ahead, adjust the speed and volume and turn off the screen very easily. Voting and knowing what you voted was very easy as well At first I was reluctant to try it since my wife was able and willing to help me fill out the voting form. I was encouraged to try the Auto Mark machine by someone at the voting place. I am glad I did use the machine to vote The AutoMark gives detailed instructions on how to mark your ballot and is essential to increasing the integrity and validity of voting in Minnesota. I am impressed that it lets you know if you were to over- or under-vote I was present at 2 orientations where a number of blind and multiple disabled persons and myself were able to try out the device. The meeting in advance helped so slower learners could take there time without the pressure of other voters waiting. Also other issues came up e.g. privacy by having device facing wall where others could not observe large print screen. Plus the issue of access for large wheel chairs where people with limited dexterity could access the machine. Without this - the voting machines would likely be less accommodating for special circumstances Very flexible for different disabilities very intuitive A little slower but easy to use It was easy to use. But I would have to say that if I was not a "jaws" user, the speed may be to quick for someone who is not experienced listening to it. I had no trouble understanding the speech or following the instructions Typical computer I used to the speech option in both the primary and general election. In both instances it worked well for me. it was easy to understand and use, though if you speed or slow the speech, it starts over from the beginning of the paragraph it is reading, which is annoying
Fair	1	The machine was fairly easy to understand and use. It sometimes responded slowly, however, and when I tried to look over my ballot, I didn't have success
Somewhat	1	As an advocate for people with cognitive disabilities I found that there will be a learning curve where people may need support to remember steps etc.
Easy to understand, Not easy to use.
No	3	The print was too small. Yes for touch screen. no (only audio instructions for tactile pad and I can't hear that - need print instructions on screen OR election judges to tell me) & review screen did not display ALL offices one could vote for (would cut off between governor and the candidate voted for - when scrolled down it would go to county sheriff. had election judges do it to make sure I was pressing only once. I was only pressing once. still skipped seemed like a page was missing. BUT it was difficult for them to on firm because what is printed on the ballot was not the order that was shown on the machine's display) SO was very confusing in review to use. The machine would be fine if I pressed on like the box for governor and it would go back to show. BUT there were some boxes for some political races not even shown It did not work on November 7
3. Were you able to use it independently and privately?
Yes	56	I turned off screen, and used head phone For the most part.. I had to have assistance in locating the button to enlarge the font No problem as most wanted to stay away. Perhaps they thought that it was a non secure way to vote. At first the instructions seemed a bit overwhelming but after locating the arrow keys used throughout the voting it really was quite easy to use and understand each section of the ballot once I was left alone Once we received a demonstration, yes But I did hear from a person that had an election judge or someone at the voting area insisting that they read the screen to her. She strongly objected and they suggested she had no alternative. This indicates education is just as crucial to the voting judges as it is to the public who need to use the AutoMark However, the polling judge showed me where everything was and then I was able to proceed on my own privately. I could easily use it many I support would need more practice to make it easy for them I was able to use the AutoMark independently and privately, however, I used it just after someone else. Because of this, the introduction that would have told me whether the monitor was on or off was something I missed. Had I thought of it, I might have shut off the monitor Except for checking that the ballot was in the scanner correctly and that indeed had printed after I used the machine, I used it independently
No	3	I needed election officials. My son is 21 and has a cognitive disability, I told his PCA about it, but she did not see the AutoMark and instead she read the ballot to my son. I did vote at the same voting place, and did locate the AutoMark. I don't think there was clear signage for people to ask to use the AutoMark We were not able to use it. Period
Independently yes, private no.	2	The first time I used the machine in the primary, an election judge helped me with every almost every part of the process. The second time, the judge was there most of the time. She was concerned when I re-inserted the ballot. Other than that, I used the machine privately and independently I was able to use it independently. Privately- not so much. It was out in the open and everyone was watching, which I didn't care because I had my headphones on and the screen did not face them There is still a little assistance needed inserting the finished ballot into the vote counter.
Independently no, privately yes.	2	I needed some help from my mom
Too out in the open	3	I was able to use it independently, but my privacy was not secured through the correct placement of the machine in my polling place. The AutoMark did not face a wall, but faced the center of the room. The exact polling place was in Ward 7, precinct 07 in St. Paul When officially voting the machine was not private. No options for making it private were made available to me. Others who were voting wanted to 'watch' me use it. They thought it was 'neat'. I didn't mind as I vote and have no issue about anyone knowing who I voted for. However, it’s to be private overall. Some of the election judges were not certain what to do Except I felt like the location of the machine in my pole could have been more private. I had people coming over to watch me go through the process and try to talk to me while I was voting, even though I was wearing headphones. I felt this was disruptive
Yes, but screen was not right height.
4. Was it easily accessible?
Yes	63	I don't know how to darken the monitor myself. Other than that, the machine is very accessible except when it slows down. I really like the fact that the Braille is on the machine I liked the high contrast and the ability to increase the size of the print. Would have liked to have a device rather than using my finger to interact with the screen I found it very user friendly, and it was in a comfortable place in the room after a little orientation and location of the keys used during voting Accessible... yes. However it was placed in poor spot in clear view of every voter entering the poling place. I did not use screen but those that would need to use the screen were not private As a driver for the Minnesota Council of Non- Profits I saw a number of polling sites and the machine was in an accessible are in each and separated from traffic areas as much as possible I had to request the headphones at the general election. The headphones were quickly supplied They made a fuss about it because I was the first person to use it. I am in a power wheelchair and it helped to be able to have it at the right height and easier
On first try no, second try yes	1	Our clerk tried to make it accessible
No	1	No comment included.
No answer N/A	1
5. What didn’t you like about it and what would you improve?
Too slow	6	I would like it if the tempo could be increased even more The printing of the ballot was very slow. I do not know how to fix this issue. I wish I could have skipped to the end of the ballot when I didn't want to continue marking it. Example, there were a lot of judges who were the only person in their contest. I didn't know who there were and would have liked to completely skip that portion of the ballot Processing was slow. Long wait to get results It's rather slow; voting by hand was quicker. I would improve the speed It was time consuming to use. You had to cycle through each contest, even if you had no interest in voting for the position. For example, I usually do not vote for any of the judgeship positions as I am not familiar with them. While the machine allows you to skip a race, it then brings up the next race. So if there are fifteen judgeships on the ballot, the machine will go to the first race. If you choose to skip the first race, it will then bring you to the second race, and so on. In order to complete the ballot, you have to go through all fifteen races even if you do not wish to vote for any of them. Because each race takes time to load up on the system, it probably takes a good fifteen minutes to vote. There should be a way to shorten the process by bypassing sections of the ballot where you are not interested in voting. I'd make the slowdown and speed up more responsive. I would include a Braille sheet explaining what the codes on the buttons stand for, so I wouldn't have to listen to instructions.
Left blank	1
Fine easy to use	16	I could read it. No complaints Nothing I can think of , it was very good I knew who I wanted to vote for and didn't need to be told I hadn't seen all choices and/or I had under-voted I liked everything about it. I was glad that I did not have to do a write in. I would ad the option of a real keyboard. I use large font with black background and yellow/white letters. Had no problems at all Easy to use, even for a person no versed in computer skills
Wrote nothing	2
Lighter touch better
Color
Audio would start over at the beginning each time the speed was adjusted	3	When you change the reading speed while listening to the instructions it starts reading them from the beginning. I didn't realize that you could skip the instructions and start voting right away. The only thing I would improve is that every time you change the speed, volume, or turn off the screen, it started the instructions over again, but once everything was to my liking the rest went wonderfully well Change the speed during the instructions causes instructions to restart. This is time consuming if one wants to read the instructions, and instructions can be restarted with the LEFT ARROW.
Add Braille display for Deaf-Blind voters	1	I did not think to ask about this at the polling place, but large print or Braille quick-reference guides would be handy. The online instructions were fine, but brief offline information would help because we wouldn't need the machine to learn about the machine. This information could also be made available on the internet for users to print out and review for themselves ahead of time
It was great	2	I thought it was excellent. The printout was a little slow and clunky. I liked it.
Provide directions in machine on how to insert ballot into counter
Problems inserting ballot into machine	2	When my ballot came out of the machine, it came out most of the way and seemed to get stuck. I had to get help because I was afraid I would tear the ballot if I pulled too hard to get it out. I also didn't like the way it notified me that I had under-voted in a category because the prompt was too technical sounding and may not be clear to those who are not technically inclined. I would suggest the following. "Note: You have not selected a candidate for this race. If you wish to skip this race, press the right arrow to continue to the next race. If you wish to select a candidate in this race, press the left arrow to return to this race When I got done voting, the paper ballot jammed when it turned over to print, so we had to start all over and it wasn't private anymore because the guy came to fix it and saw my answers. It took three times longer than my mom to vote because of the hassle and we ended up late for an appointment. I finished the back page by hand and turned it in.
Include in audio that the instructions can be skipped by pressing right arrow key
Could not see screen, not adjusted right	1	The top of the privacy screen, when you're standing, can get in the way of seeing the screen if you're tall and, like most voters, if you like to stand when you vote. It's a little ironic, because the large text on the machine is supposed to make things easier to read, but then there's this part of the privacy screen that's blocking what you're trying to read. So, yes to the privacy screen, but no to hunching over when you're trying to vote. It would also be nice if the screen could tilt farther up
Include prompt in machine for figuring out the layout of keyboard
Other	26	I believe this is the voting machine everyone will want in the future sighted or not. There should be a privacy curtain around it. It would require headphones to make it private. I had to press my selection a few times before it registered. More space needed for people to sit down who are not mobile without a walker. N/A See other comments I would turn the volume down before people started using it. I would change the process for checking the ballot over. I would add a keyboard so that people could write in a candidate I would like the controls on the left side instead of the right, but it isn't a big deal Need instructions to print the ballot I did not like the flashing portions of the screen that indicated more choices. It made it more difficult to read the text in the flashing portion. It would be better if this flashing function could be turned off It seemed as if when I put on the head phones I was in the middle of a prerecorded message. I thought I missed something although clearly it repeated it self. I think I was a bit nervous about the whole thing. Now, that I have experienced it, it will be less stressful to use in future elections Unless I've missed something, the machine's present design produces some inconvenience when a voter wants to read through the entire list of candidates for a particular office, then make a selection. Once you've scrolled through a candidate list, there's no way to backtrack. You instead have to go back to the previous screen (dealing with the preceding race), then jump forward to the beginning of the screen in which you're interested. This procedure, though certainly feasible, is a little awkward I liked everything and would only improve it by having a keyboard allowing us to write in a person independently At the end of the ballot I was confused for a while when asked to press the "square key" to mark the ballot. Since this key was referred to as the "select key" previously during voting I did ask my wife to verify that the normal center "select key" was the square key indicated for marking the ballot. Be consistent with the key designations More voice options, speed, pitch, etc. selections, spell/pronunciation options, etc. Privacy in voting would be appreciated. Further training of judges so they know how to use it and have to demonstrate their competence would be helpful Once, the AutoMark is able to be used by persons who are deaf/blind, the machine will become more accessible. if an office is unopposed show that as the first entry Election polling-place staff did not do much at all to promote the use of the equipment. Such staff should actively encourage voters to use the AutoMark I liked most items about the machine. The one change I would make is having to do with races where there is only one candidate running for office. The machine announces there are "two" candidates... In my own mind the machine should say there is "one" candidate and add that there is also a write-in option. Saying that there are "two" candidates for a race led me to believe I might not have been "seeing" the second candidate. Since we always have the option of having a write-in I do not see this as an official "candidate.” Could be semantics but it was also a bit confusing. The write-in is very difficult and time consuming First of all, if I wanted to use a write in vote, I didn't see a keyboard- did I miss something? Second and lastly, I think the judges should have been trained how to use it to give me a quick overview before I started. Now that I have used it, it really is no big deal A training program should be developed that we can use on an ongoing basis to help people get comfortable with using the technology When I was pushing the various buttons, the machine seemed a little unstable on its stand. Maybe something can be done to make the machine more stable Don't need it; had husband mark card according to my preferences. Easier. It seems cheaply made. The touch screen would not recognize Angora Township. We deplore the unnecessary expense to the state and to the township for security and maintenance. We would improve it by returning it to the manufacturer for a refund. I had to reread one of my ballot choices that it skipped reading when I reviewed my choices, but this too, it did very well.
6. What features did you use?
Touch screen	6
All	2
Key pad	11	Braille on the keypad
Zoom	4
Left blank	4
Response unclear
Audio and touch screen	2	adjusted the speed (faster) and the volume
Paper feed (?)	2	Able to get it to print ballot Auto mark Auto Print
Screen off	5
Audio	23
Reviewed votes in previous races	1	Voting portions for state, county and city candidates and issues.
Changed votes
Headset	9
Under-vote feature
Mouth stick
The reject button
All relevant ones	2
Just the basic ones
Everything but audio
Buttons	11
Other	29	Marking ballot, reviewing selections. Return Mark large print, high contrast, when didn't work then high contrast regular print(10) Braille Volume control, arrows/”S” key (5), white text black background onscreen commands at the bottom of the screen used the Braille labels, and the shape and location of the buttons to identify their functions lowered volume I used the instructions, each ballot menu, up and down functions to go over each candidate, proposal, amendment, etc screen highlighting and increased size in the text Screen reading and scanning system Keyboard? Speed of speech Voting portions for state, county and city candidates and issues. Video features Features? I don't remember there being features. One thing I got confused about was how do I go back and forth, but eventually figured it out. Did not use. No features needed in our township. No features used. No features were operable.
7. Would you use the AutoMark again? Why or why not?
Yes	62	Summarizing all yes votes Easy to use Allows for independent vote Allows for privacy Feels a part of the electoral process
No	3	Not being handicapped, I probably would not. It takes longer to vote, using the AutoMark. If asked to do so, I would use it again, but not otherwise Would rather the money spent on its development, manufacture, deployment, and operation, to have been spent on trying to get us blind folks real JOBS I would never use such an undependable method of casting my vote. I need to feel confident that everyone's vote will be counted accurately, including my own. I would discourage every precinct in Minnesota from using any AutoMark machine.
Don’t know
Maybe	1	I didn't at the general election, just the primary. Why: it's quicker to do it by hand.
8. How long did it take for you to vote?
Less than 5 minutes	2
Between 5-10 minutes	16
Between 10-15 minutes	19
Between 15-20 minutes	15
More than 20 minutes	5
Other	6	Two minutes longer than it took my husband 2 hours altogether. After about an hour waiting in line to use it, it took me about an hour to go through the actual voting process with the machine. Faster than old way About as long as it would have taken to complete a ballot the old-fashioned way. 50 minutes had to wait for election judges to help me and then they didn't know what to do. Had to result in marking ballot and they had to read it to me and then i had to confirm that it was the choice i wanted.
9. Any other comments you’d like to share?
		At my polling place, they had the machine away from the booths and had it roped off. They made sure that it was private for people with disabilities to use. Should be printed directions for the touch pad for election judges. because there was a problem with the print screen not showing all the candidates and all the election offices in the review screen when one scrolled up and down, they had no way to know if the talking part was correct at least. I could not confirm due to disability the audio portion to see if that would say all the elections and the candidates when one scrolled down/up. Had to result in election judges verbally confirming and reading candidates all over again from printed ballot because couldn't trust machine to mark if it was displaying improperly. Have print instructions for the tactile pad. i could read the print with high contrast - large print fine but the little circles were hard to see to press exactly in them (make them bigger) i can't hear the instructions for touch pad and election judges did not know how to use them due to them not having experience with the voice/no print instructions for them either. Have neck loop that works with hearing aids. Machine was fine going forward but it was VERY slow with going back to review past selections and then going forward. Sometimes had to wait half a minute to a full minute. Need better angle of AutoMark - or have it further along table. There was a machine to the left of the AutoMark. When sitting i could not see the election judges with my hand up to know if they saw me with my question. Flashing buttons for scrolling down (example) very annoying and made it difficult to focus/read the rest of the text. this web form/site is not accessible with JAWS 7.1 and Mozilla Firefox 2.0. Works with Internet explorer 7 though. I really have enjoyed being able to use the AutoMark. Today, I noticed how small it is. I liked using the AutoMark. I felt that i could vote independently and privately. I thought it was informative when giving instructions on how to use it. For example it announced the name of the candidate an individual selected. Yes, instruct those that are giving assistance at the poles to listen to what we are saying when we speak. I had tested this machine several times and was very comfortable using it, before I enter the polling place. Although I repeated this information several times, in a nice manner, the person helping insisted on standing over my shoulder, continued to talk as I was trying to hear the directions with the headphones. I had to remove my headphones, tell her that I could not hear the instructions because she was talking and insist that I could operate the machine without her assistance, and that I would like to get started. Only one minor problem on the summary screen: when I reviewed my selections the one for state auditor only said the party affiliation and would not say the name; however, on the actual page to make the choice, the person's name and party were read. It was great. This was a wonderful experience and an historic day for blind people. Thank you!!! I appreciate the advocacy of the blind and disability community that went into bringing this about. I also recognize that elected officials were cooperative. I appreciated having the opportunity to vote independently and privately. I look forward to using the AutoMark in the next election. Thank you for allowing people with disabilities to join the rest of society in having the privilege of casting a ballot in secrecy. This has always been a huge issue for me. I have chosen not to vote because I didn't want someone else to know how I voted. I will never have to do that again! If they would speed up the processing, I think everyone should use it! As a blind person it was really great to vote without help. I want to thank you for putting this AutoMark in, because it's something that I know I'm sure going to use again. I also have several friends who'll use it again. Thanks for this opportunity. Closing the gap and giving back my independence and privacy to the voting process brought me nearly to tears. There are no words to describe how awesome this experience was. I've voted in every election I have been age eligible to vote in and for the very first time, I left the polls feeling equal to my sighted voting peers. Previously, I felt like I was a burden and was embarrassed that I could not fill out my ballot privately. Only that while these machines nicely enhance privacy, no one should have felt demeaned by the time-honored methods generations of people with visual or other disabilities have successfully employed to vote. There's no shame in seeking or receiving necessary human assistance in completing a ballot. I live next door to a gal that works the election as a helper and she is there from start to finish. I spoke with her today and she told me that I was the only one who used the machine. Also, when I did arrive to vote, everyone told me "Don't ask me for help as I don't know a thing about that machine.” In my opinion, there was not enough public education. This is great! I think every state should use this machine. It has a paper ballot which I like and its design was well thought out. Husband and I are totally blind; we loved the experience. I heard that the AutoMark was not used by many individuals in my community. I think it could be utilized by many more persons. Education and communication about this great voting resource is needed for future elections. I have used the AutoMark twice now and it went very smoothly both times. For such an undertaking, this seems unusually smooth. Please allow the screen to tilt way up with the top of the privacy screen that's perpendicular to the ground, instead of at a hunch-down angle. There were supposed to be ten choices for school board election, the AutoMark gave six. when I got to the end of the actual voting process and got to the summary, the machine ran into printer problems. only the front side of the ballot was printed. the backside with the judges, etc. was left blank. I had to do that part completely over again. this was done manually, the old-fashioned way, dictating my choices to the 2 election officials. other than that, everything went quite smoothly. it was a fantastic, marvelous and historical experience not only for me, but also for all of us, now able to vote in secret for the first time ever. Please tell the election workers that, just because a voter uses a wheelchair, the AutoMark isn't necessarily the best thing (I thought okay, I'll try it, so I didn't refuse his assumption that I should use the machine). AND wheelchair does not mean stupid, unable to do anything, nor hard-of-hearing -- I was talked down to and instructions were repeated more than necessary. I felt like the guy thought I was 5 years old. I loved the system overall. Nothing with the system that I would change. I would increase training to encourage more usage. I am very glad that we have the new system. I am definitely for anything that improves access to voting. Fantastic job by the Sec. of State's office in coordinating voter outreach events. Also, Kiffmeyer and support groups made the best decision when choosing to use ES&S as the systems provider. Again, superb job to the outgoing office! Most of the blind and disabled people that have never been able to vote privately or independently before greatly appreciate what the AutoMark has to offer. This to me is more important to consider - that just the cost factor which seems to get more attention. I work for an assistive technology company who provides assistive technology training for people with disabilities, and while I understand it would be a costly endeavor, the AutoMark doesn't allow for people who are deaf/blind to use the machines. Braille displays would be a nice added feature for those people, or, maybe the ability for a deaf/blind person to bring in their own Braille display to link up with the AutoMark. it was such a treat being able to vote independently Thank you it is wonderful to have a way to privately vote with poor eye sight. Make sure that the polling judges KNOW HOW TO FIX any technologic issues on the machine. Having to call someone and either delaying or not ending up to vote is so embarrassing. There needs to be better training about the AutoMark with election officials. They know about it but not too much else. I did even hear that there was no machine at a few polling places in Minneapolis, e.g. Cedar-Riverside polling location for one example. It was great. Thanks for allowing me to provide my feedback. I would like to see it in future elections. It is wonderful to have a machine that not only increases independence for people but retains the paper trail for proper recounts if needed. It's a great machine. I DO like the idea of changing to blind-accessible money, independent of sighted verification -- regardless of what the president of NFB has stated. The present assortment of dollar bills is and inconvenience far more frequent and greater than biennial voting. My only suggestion is to have election judges ask everyone if they would like to use the AutoMark. Thanks! I fully support the efforts of Iron Range legislators to amend Minnesota's HAVA legislation to allow townships with small voter registries to opt out of the HAVA mandate--or at least to have some flexibility in the matter. We have one visually impaired voter in our township, and he declares that he would not use the machine under any circumstances. If I could double the magnification, I could use the machine independently. Had to ask where the machine was and if I could use it. It was very easy once I found it. I was pointed to the machine and told to ask any of the judges how to use it if I had questions. Once I put on the earphones, the machine literally walked me through each step; allowed me to skip sections or move through the list of judges and water treatment supervisors quickly but would always remind me if I had left any section blank. At the end, I was sable to preview all my choices and hear if the recorded choices truly matched my selections before printing my ballot. I thought this was very easy and it would be my method of choice when I vote again. This machine could help my son vote with more confidence. He has dyslexia and I think this would be the way of the future for all voters.

AutoMark Questionnaire

Responses from Voters