Clatsop County Pilot Project Provides Assistance To Limited Visibility Voters

Clatsop County Community Relations
Friday, Jan. 20, 2012

iPAD BALLOTING PROGRAM OFFERED TO SPECIAL-NEEDS VOTERS

Clatsop County is part of a state pilot project utilizing iPad portable computers to assist voters with limited visibility or other issues causing them difficulty filling out their mail-in ballots for the Jan. 31 special election.

Under the program, an election worker brings the device to the voter, who calls up his or her ballot, taps the screen to make a selection, then prints out the ballot on a portable printer. The ballot can then be mailed to or dropped off at the elections office.

Multiple attachments and apps, including screen readers, are available to make the devices usable for as many people as possible.

For more information and to participate in this service, contact the county Elections Division at (503) 325-8511.

The division is also conducting a public certification test of its ballot-counting machine at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the Judge Guy Boyington Building. This test is routinely performed prior to county elections and the public is invited to observe the process.

Ballots for the election – to choose a new representative for the District 1 Congressional seat – are due at the Clatsop County Elections Division on Jan. 31.

Voters should note that postage will increase effective Sunday, Jan. 22, and should make sure to have adequate postage when mailing in their ballots. The new rate for a standard letter envelope will be 45 cents.

Completed ballots can also be dropped at the following sites by 8 p.m. on Election Day:

· Clatsop County Clerk’s Office, Public Services Building, 820 Exchange St., Astoria -or- 24-hour drop box in front of office.

· Cannon Beach City Hall, 163 Gower St., Cannon Beach

· Seaside City Hall, 989 Broadway, Seaside

· Warrenton City Hall, 225 S. Main Ave., Warrenton

· Knappa High School, 41535 Old Highway 30, Knappa

· Gearhart City Hall, 698 Pacific Way, Gearhart

· Mist-Birkenfeld Fire Hall, 12525 Oregon Highway 202

· Clatskanie Library, 11 Lillich St., Clatskanie

Ballots that are mailed in must be received by Election Day – postmarks do not count.

For more information contact the Clerk and Elections Office at (503) 325-8511 or go to the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us and click on “Jan. 31 Special General Election.”

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