Oregon was first in the nation to have all residents vote by mail. Now it’s pioneering another idea: vote by iPad.
Voters in five counties are deciding a special primary election today. A handful will mark their ballots with the tip of their finger. It’s the latest attempt at using new technology to help voters with disabilities cast ballots privately.
Armed with iPads and portable printers, county election workers are going to parks, nursing homes, community centers and anywhere else they might find voters who have trouble filling out traditional paper ballots.
Using the iPad, disabled voters can call up the right ballot and tap the screen to pick a candidate, with or without the help of election workers. The voters then print the completed ballot and stuff it in an envelope to sign, take with them and drop in the mail or an official ballot box.
