When I went to the local library this afternoon, there was a Diebold machine and a woman with the Fairfield Board of Elections in the lobby inviting patrons to try out the system in order to learn how to use it before November 8th. Of course I wanted to try out the machine, but I also wanted to ask the woman some questions, too.
When I went to the local library this afternoon, there was a Diebold machine and a woman with the Fairfield Board of Elections in the lobby inviting patrons to try out the system in order to learn how to use it before November 8th. Of course I wanted to try out the machine, but I also wanted to ask the woman some questions, too.
At first, the woman was very friendly and encouraged me to try the machine. She gave me a short overview of the interface before letting me begin, and guided me through the first couple of screens. After I looked them over, I asked her what would happen if a voter became confused while attempting to use the machine. She replied that the interface was very easy to use, that the chances of voters becoming confused was not very likely - but of course they did want to mitigate these chances, which is why they had set up this demonstration. I then said that I understood the interface quickly because I have had some training in cognitive engineering and interface design, but most people have not. She then replied that people "didn't need a college degree" to figure out the machine, that it was simple to use, so I explained that this wasn't my point, that there might be some people who would need assistance - and if this were the case, would someone be able to help them? Her answer was that the poll workers could help, but that they were not allowed to touch the screen because that would be them voting on the voter's behalf. I said okay, but what if the poll workers were not able to help adequately, and the voter got too frustrated and decided to leave without voting? Her reply was that the person could go the the Fairfield county board of elections and fill out a ballot there. I then asked her, "but what if they don't have a way to get to the Fairfield board of elections building?" and she just shrugged and said that there are no government funded means of transportation available for those who need to go the the board of elections office. I then said, "then they are out of luck?" and she shrugged again and said, "I guess so."
I then asked her if there would be a paper record of the votes, and she said, "absolutely." She showed me where the ballot would print out prior to the voter casting their ballot by pressing the 'Cast Ballot' button, and she printed out my test run. I looked at it, and I said that the words were pretty small, so is there a way for someone who can not see very well to look at this printout? She said yes, there is a magnifying glass that goes over the window containing the printout, and she pointed to some notches on either side of the printout window. I then asked where was the actual magnifying glass, and she said that it had gotten broken. I asked, how did it get broken? And she replied that there had been some young people playing around the machine. I then asked, oh, well, what if the magnifying glass gets broken somehow while at the polling place? What then? The woman (who was irritated by now) snapped, it won't get broken, nothing can happen to it while it is being used properly. To that I said, yes, but what if it gets broken in transit or something? Will the poll workers have extra magnifying glasses? And if they do, will they know how to replace them? The woman snapped again, yes, I'm sure they will have extra magnifying glasses.
I then asked her about the quality of the paper of the printouts, and asked her if the paper would last long enough. She was just like, what do you mean? And I said, if the ballots need to be looked at again, then the quality of the paper and ink needs to be high enough to be read after a certain amount of time. She replied that the paper was good enough to last 120 days, which is how much time they have to do a recount. I said okay, but I thought the ballots had to stored longer than that, and she said no, 120 days. I asked, what do they do with the ballots after 120 days, and she said, "I don't know what they do with them."
Finally, I asked her if the new machines have been tested, and she replied that they were being tested now, during the demonstrations. I said, no, that's not what I meant - I was wondering if all of their machines have been used in a scenario similar to if not identical to an actual election, to see if they function properly under sustained use. Again, she said no, not that she was aware of.
By then it was pretty apparent that she considered me a nuisance, and she told me that the person behind me wanted to try out the machine. At that point I left, more than just a little disturbed. I am not happy about this one bit - not only does it seem that this Diebold system places more, not less, obstacles to vote, but that these election officials (at least the one I cam into contact with) seem awfully casual about possible impediments to voting put in place by these machines. I also came away with the impression that this woman seemed to consider voting to be a privilege, not a right - a privilege for those who are able bodied, have good eyesight (or corrected eyesight), and access to transportation.
Another thing that disturbs me is that it doesn't seem like there are very many opportunities to try out these Diebold machines prior to the elections. I am not aware of any advertisements in the local paper about these demonstrations, the Fairfield Board of Elections website does not have any information whatsoever about giving members of the public the chance to try these machines, and I have no idea how many demonstrations have been taking place, or where, or for how long. If people need to learn how to use these machines, wouldn't these demonstrations be more widespread? Wouldn't there be more advertisements, or flyers placed in people's front doors or mailboxes? I don't think I like this very much. I have worked as a computer graphics instructor for a number of years now, and I am quite familiar with the confusion and consternation that can result from trying to figure out an unfamiliar computer interface.
I don't think I am overreacting to any of this, but I very well could be. Suggestions and words of advice are most welcome.