Video transcript: Accessible voting in Onondaga County
Desiree Robinson: Early voting is underway in Onondaga County.
Election officials say they want every voter to feel comfortable casting a ballot, including those with disabilities.
Each polling site has accessible voting devices, but the county’s Democratic Elections Commissioner says few people actually use them.
Dustin Czarny: I wish they were used more. Unfortunately they’re not very widespread. I think we only had six voters use them in the presidential election last year.
Desiree Robinson: Early voting has kicked off at Syracuse Community Connections, where accessibility options for voters with disabilities may not be as intimidating as they seem.
One of the systems in place can read ballots out loud, make text larger and swap languages. Poll site manager Claire Hendon says they are trained to use the machines, but more importantly they are taught to be people firs
Hendon: There’s a technology system we have that can help people. I mean those are the ways we’re trained, but we’re mostly trained to do what people want.”
Desiree Robinson: Voters can also bring someone with them to help with the ballot process.
All of these efforts are meant to make voting feel less like a task and more like part of the community.
Hendon: The fact of the matter is, you can take as long as you need to vote. There’s no need to rush that.
Desiree Robinson: In Onondaga County, voting is for everyone, with not a single ballot left behind.
Desiree Robinson, NCC News.
Onondaga County aims to make voting more accessible
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Onondaga County is making sure everyone can cast a ballot with ease.
With early voting underway, election officials want people to know there are many resources. Each polling site has machines that can read ballots aloud, enlarge text and switch languages. Still, Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny said few voters use them.
“I wish they were used more,” Czarny said. “Unfortunately they’re not very widespread. We only had about six voters use them in the last presidential election.”
Some voters prefer a more personal experience like bringing someone to help them. Poll workers are trained to help voters who need assistance and to create a welcoming environment.
Poll site manager Claire Hendon said accessibility is also about the atmosphere. Making sure voters don’t feel rushed or pressured is important.
“The fact of the matter is, you can take as long as you need to vote,” Hendon said. “There’s no need to rush that.”
Election leaders hope that by raising awareness, more residents with disabilities will feel confident casting their vote this year.