The instructions in section 5.21 regarding the audio settings imply the voter will make the adjustments as to turning on/off or setting the volume levels by touching this screen.  A sight-impaired voter will be unable to do this.  Should this not be at the beginning of the voting process so that the poll worker or someone assisting the voter could begin the audio process for the sight-impaired voter?  On our system the screen goes blank once the audio ballot is selected and all selections are made using the ADA buttons.  Then the voter could be instructed how to set their own volume level. 

Here are two technical edits and comments:

1.  Pages 5.10 and 5.11: it appears that the bottom screen shot on each page is incorrect.  The instruction (touching "Next" button takes user to next contest screen) indicates that a contest other than "President and Vice President of the United States" would appear.

2.  Page 5.19: it appears that the top screen shot is incorrect.  The instruction (at the main Help screen) indicates that the user is at the main Help screen, not the inactivity warning screen.

On page 5.12, there is a screen shot for write-in voting.  The "typewriter" on the screen is in A-B-C order.  We also use the A-B-C order on our touchscreen for write-in voting but have received complaints and requests to use the "QWERT" order.  Was any research conducted on which letter order is easier to use?

On pages 5.14 & 5.15, paper receipts are mentioned.  While there are no best practices for the design of a paper receipt, it would be helpful if Design for Democracy could offer some best practices.

On page 5.30, the voting unit displays the "inactive alert" screen shot after 5 minutes of inactivity and resets the ballot after 6 minutes of inactivity.  Was this 6 minute timeframe based on research or an existing voting system's limit?

On page 5.34, the screen shows how a user can change the font size.  Are there any recommendations on what font sizes should be offered?

Our DRE's have a choice when the voter is ready to cast their ballot. There are 2 choices: a red oval VOTE button at the top of the DRE screen that is flashing red ( this is used by sighted as well as sight impaired voters ); the other choice is a rectangular green box with a check mark in it on the screen which states "Cast Your Ballot Now". I plan on continuing using this vote casting choice as voters have become familiar with it.

I really question the comment (5.2) that 25 point font is more important than not scrolling.  The example on page 5.11 shows a ballot on which the voter has to scroll to a second page to see all of the candidates.  While I am sure it is true that ballots with large type are more usable, sticking some of the candidates on a "second page" is more likely to result in you explaining why you did so to a judge. 

The suggested ballot layout and font size would have resulted in the voter scrolling through more than 60 screens in the 2004 election (as opposed to 21).   That would slow things down, and speed counts in a big election.  While I understand 25 point font might be the most user friendly, we have used 16 point font for ten years and received virtually no complaints.  Those who can't read it can use a provided magnifier or select the large font option.  The bottom line is there is a practical impact to this recommendation which in my opinion, outweighs its alleged value.  the authors are not considering (and probably were not asked to) the full picture.