Friday, April 27, 2012

Clatsop County Election Department Makes Ballot Marking Assistance Available To Those With Disabilities



Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Oregon Secretary of State and the Clatsop County Elections Office are committed to making voting more accessible to people with disabilities.

The Help America Vote Act has provided funding to assist states and counties with this goal. Any voter who needs assistance in voting in the May 15 Primary Election because they have trouble filling out traditional paper ballots is invited to contact the Clatsop County Elections Office at (503) 325-8511 for assistance.

Accessible ballot marking can be completed by using special computer equipment which is available at the Clatsop County Clerk and Elections Office or by appointment at local facilities.

· Using the iPad, disabled voters can call up the right ballot and tap the screen to pick a candidate and ballot measures.

· Voters with poor vision can adjust the font size and screen color, or have the computer read the ballot out loud.

· The voters then print the completed ballot and place it in their return ballot envelope, sign it and return it to the Elections Office.

Ballots for the May 15 election will begin arriving in voters’ mailboxes Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. Accessible ballot marking will be available between April 30 and May 15 at the Clatsop County Elections Office on the 2nd floor of 820 Exchange St. in Astoria. In addition, the Elections Office can schedule time to come to facilities and offer voters access to this equipment.

Any voter wishing to utilize this new program for accessible ballot marking is asked to please bring their RETURN ballot envelope with them when they come to mark their ballot. The voter must be an active registered voter. If the voter is unsure of their registration status, our Elections Official can verify their status through the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.

Any residential facility or senior center wishing to set up a time for Clerk and Elections staff to come out and set up at their facility to provide access to this new voting system is encouraged to call the Clerk and Elections Office at (503) 325-8511 to schedule an appointment. Please make an appointment early in the election cycle because the last few days before an election are typically busy and there may be a longer wait.

Released by:Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

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