On Martha’s Vineyard, the town of Chilmark, Mass. would rather not spend $2,000 per election cycle on federally mandated technology to help its one visually impaired voter. In the past the town has offered voters with poor or no eyesight a range of less costly choices including large print ballots and their choice of a person to read the ballot to them. [Megan Dooley, Vineyard Gazette via Ira Stoll, Future of Capitalism]
4 Comments
I am one of those poll workers in a district in Westchester County, not far from Walter Olson’s Chappaqua. We have a special machine for handicapped voters with two dedicated people, and we have yet to use it at all after the three elections in which I was involved. We have absentee ballots that would work well for these people. My ex used to pull the levers for her home health care client. That worked fine.
Please God spare us from the activists.
Funny story:
When I was a cub reporter I covered the opening a new firehouse in New Jersey. The captain showed me its very expensive elevator. “ADA requirement”, he said, shaking his head.
“So what’s the problem?” I gullibly asked.
“You ever seen a wheelchair-bound firefighter?” he said.
Of course, he shouldn’t speak too quickly…
As a blind person I would love to be able to cast my ballot without assistance. Right now I have to trust poll workers to fill out ballots as I direct. I don’t trust my family members as my politics are very different from theirs so absentee ballots are no answer.
I can hear it now from the next booth the computerized voice going down the list, the voter placing their selection, the voice comes back on,,,,,,,, you don’t want that SOB…!! đŸ™‚