Indianapolis (WLFI) — Settlement agreement creates more absentee voting options for people with print disabilities in Indiana.
In the settlement, Indiana agreed to make available a new remotely accessible ballot marking tool.
This is for those who cannot write on a paper ballot. Ballots can be filled out digitally using assistive technologies such as screen readers, and voters send their ballots by email.
Attorney Jelena Corrick, a disability rights advocate, said at the time the lawsuit was filed, the only way Indiana voters could vote remotely was by paper absentee ballot.
However, those who cannot fill out a paper ballot, such as the blind or visually impaired, should seek help from the circuit board.
It is the pair of each party that fills out that person’s ballot at home.
“This is problematic for many reasons,” says Kolic. “Including the fact that federal law protects the privacy, independence, and secrecy of an individual’s ballot. We filed this lawsuit to ask the state.”
Travel boards are still available for those who don’t have the skills to vote with the new tools. Alternatively, a person of your choice can mark the ballot instead.
The state will then make this technology available to each county.
Counties can choose to use that technology or develop their own.
The technology will be ready by the May election.
