Elections Division


	Disabilities Rights Accessibility Issues & Resources Using the eSlate Voting System Federal & State Laws Election Worker Training Polling Place Accessibility Other Pages Ballot by Mail

Disabilities Rights Information:
Voting on the eSlate Disabled Access Unit (DAU)

The Travis County eSlate electronic voting system has features that allow all voters to cast their votes privately, securely, and without assistance.

Voters who are visually impaired or blind may use headphones to hear the ballot, making their selections on the same voting system as all other voters. Voters who have difficulty reading can also use the headphones.

People who have limited upper-body movement or control may wish to use special switches or their own “sip and puff” device (allowing voters with severe physical limitations to cast their ballot using only their breath.

Voters Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

A voter may choose to use headphones in order to hear the ballot read aloud.
An election worker should offer to guide the voter to the eSlate DAU booth and offer an orientation to the eSlate before handing the headphones to the voter.
On the eSlate, the voter will become oriented to the SELECT wheel, ENTER button, and the HELP button as well as other features such as the Next and Previous buttons that allow the voter to move forward and back through the ballot, and the CAST BALLOT button, which is the final button that a voter presses to send the ballot to the electronic voting box.
The headphones attached to the eSlate come with built-in volume control located on the wire. Sliding the control lever up or down raises or lowers the volume.
The Select wheel is a trigger for the audio. One “click” clockwise moves through the eSlate options, one line at a time. Turning the wheel counter-clockwise will repeat what the voter just heard. The voter does not have to listen to all options, if he or she chooses not to.
A voter will receive a 4-digit access code that the voter can enter independently. This code brings up the correct ballot style, according to the voter’s home precinct.
The HELP button can alert a poll worker at any time that help is needed.

(Top of Page)

Voters with Limited Dexterity

A voter with limited dexterity or limited upper body mobility may vote by using the tactile input switches.

When using the tactile input switches the voter must start and finish with the tactile input switches. It is not possible to switch back and forth between the switches and SELECT wheel.

A voter who chooses to use tactile input switches to cast a ballot may choose to vote sitting or standing. If the voter prefers to sit, a chair will be available near the eSlate DAU booth.
An election worker should provide verbal instructions on the use of the tactile input switches and should position the tactile input switches in a comfortable location that the voter specifies.

The RED switch functions like the SELECT wheel.
The GREEN switch functions like the ENTER wheel.
- The RED switch moves the highlight bar through the options.
- The GREEN switch enters the voter’s choice.
- After the reading the ballot instructions, press the GREEN switch to move to the first contest.
- To skip a contest, press the GREEN switch while the contest’s title bar is highlighted.
- When the voter reaches the end of the ballot, s/he is given a choice to review the ballot by returning to the first page, or to cast the ballot. The voter will not see the summary screen.
The HELP button is not available to a voter using the tactile input switches, so an election worker will be nearby in case assistance is needed.

(Top of Page)

Voters with Sip-and-Puff Devices

The sip and puff device functions very similarly to the tactile input switches.

"Sipping" functions similarly to the SELECT wheel.
"Puffing" is similar to the ENTER button.

(Top of Page)

Curbside Voting

A voter with disabilities may request the option of "curbside voting." This option involves bringing the eSlate Disabled Access Unit (DAU) to a vehicle to enable a voter to cast a ballot outside the polling place.

First, the election judge must determine that the voter is eligible to vote and mark the voter as “VOTED” on the Voter Registration List.
The judge will ask the voter’s preferred language, and determine if s/he needs the tactile input switches and/or headphones.
The judge will also print an Access Code for the voter and enter that code prior to leaving the polling place.
The eSlate is disconnected from the booth and operates on batteries while the voter is casting the ballot curbside.
The eSlate and an instruction sheet will be brought to the voter.
The voter will be asked to sign a signature roster.
An election worker will instruct the voter on how to use the eSlate.

(Top of Page)

Last Modified: Friday, October 30, 2009 3:15 PM