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The Oregon Secretary of State and the Elections Division are committed to making voting more accessible to people with disabilities. The goal is to provide the opportunity for voters inOregon to vote as privately and independently as possible. A new voting tool that is available to persons with disabilities is the Alternate Format Ballot (AFB).
One of the many exciting things about the AFB is that it allows voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently at home if they have, or have access to, a computer with a web browser and a printer.
How does it work? The Alternate Format Ballot is an electronic document that opens in a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Once received, the voter opens the instructions and reads through them carefully. After reading the instructions the voter opens the ballot in the web browser and works through the ballot using the keystrokes outlined in the instructions. The ballot uses check boxes and text boxes to allow the voter to make desired choices.
When the ballot is completed the voter can review selections and make any needed corrections. Once the voter is sure the ballot is marked correctly the ballot is printed. View a video about the AFB at the following web site: http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/HAVA/accessibility.shtml; click on Alternate Format Ballots Video.
What if I don’t have access to the necessary equipment? Every county elections office will have at least two accessible computer stations. One permanent station is located at the office, and one portable station can be taken out of the office. Voters who do not have access to a computer can go to an elections office and vote privately and independently using the AFB. The portable station will allow a voter to request to vote the Alternate Format Ballot at a location agreed upon by the voters and the county elections officials.
View a video about how to provide assistance to voters with disabilities at the following web site: http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/HAVA/accessibility.shtml; click on Assisting Voters with Disabilities Training Video.
Does the AFB work with all assistive technology? The Alternate Format Ballot is designed to work with many different types of assistive technology: Screen readers, sip-puff devices, screen enlargers, Braille displays, switches, joy sticks, and other alternative input devices. While it may not work with everything, it has been designed to work with as many things as possible.
How do I get it? First remember that you must be registered to vote in order to obtain the AFB. Registered votes can request the Alternate Format Ballot from their county elections office. The AFB can be emailed directly to you or it can be sent by regular mail on a CD. The ballot will arrive with additional electronic text documents that will include step-by-step instructions about how to complete and return it.
Important note! After you ark and print eh Alternate Format Ballot, you will need to return it in the secrecy and signature envelopes included in the standard printed ballot package sent to you by your county elections office. Your printed ballot package is mailed approximately 14 – 18 days before Election Day. Even if you vote at one of the accessible stations provided by the county, you will need to bring your printed ballot package with you. You will use the secrecy and signature envelopes to cast you ballot after voting.
Contact your County Elections Office to request the Alternate Format Ballot. For more information about the Alternate Format Ballot call Gene Newton at 503-986-2352 or dial 1-866-673-8683 (1-866-ORE-VOTE) for toll free elections information. If you have a disability and need help completing your ballot or registering to vote, you can request assistance. Call your local county elections office or dial the toll free elections information line at 1-866-673-8683.
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