YAB Archived Series- PART 3: DIFFERENT WAYS TO COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT AND VOTE

PART 3: DIFFERENT WAYS TO COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT AND VOTE

with Special Guest Writer and Parent: Melissa Cruz

In the state of Connecticut, there are different ways to complete your ballot and vote. The article below describes these different methods:

Manual Ballot

In Connecticut, the most common way to vote in an election is by paper ballot also known as a manual ballot. On this ballot are the names of the candidates who are running for election and, occasionally, referendum questions. To complete the manual ballot, voters fill in small ovals by the names of the candidates they choose and their response to any referendum questions. The voter darkens the circle or oval next to the candidate’s name using a black or blue marker. They also mark their responses to the referendum questions. Once the voter completes all their choices, they place the ballot in the optical scan tabulator where it is counted and securely stored. 

Advocacy Tip:  If the voter makes a mistake, they can request a new ballot as many times as necessary.

 

Ballot Marking Device

The Ballot Marking Device is designed as a way for voters to mark a ballot when they cannot access the ballot due to disability or the inability to read the ballot choices.  Anyone, however, can use the ballot marking system!  The ballot marking device includes a tablet, a keypad, and headphones.  A voter can either complete a ballot by using the touchscreen on the tablet or by using the audio system which requires the voter to listen to the ballot through headphones and make choices on a keypad.  

If the voter chooses to use the tablet, the names of the candidates appear on the touchscreen and the voter touches the name of the candidate they want to choose. A check mark will appear in the box in front of the name of the candidate indicating the voter’s choice. If a voter makes a mistake, they can touch the box again to remove the check mark. To vote for a write-in candidate, the voter touches the box to the right of the words, WRITE-IN. A keyboard pops up, and the voter types in the candidate's name. The voter can review the ballot and make changes. When they are satisfied with their choices, they will be prompted to complete the ballot. The ballot marking device will then print the voter selections on a manual ballot. The ballot is then put through the tabulator to be counted and stored. 

The audio system provides verbal cues to guide the user through the voting process. These cues will require voters to push different buttons on the keypad to make their choices. When the voter has finished the ballot, there is an opportunity to review their selections. Like the tablet feature, the voter will be asked to complete the ballot, the ballot is printed and goes through the tabulator to be counted and stored.  

The ballot marking device has no memory. Once a ballot is printed, it is automatically erased from the system.  Therefore, if the voter reviews the ballot and is not happy with the selections, they can request a new ballot but will have to start all over again.  

Advocacy Tip: If you want to use the ballot marking system, let them know when you check in.  A poll worker will activate the device for you and ensure that you have the proper ballot.

Absentee Ballot

An absentee ballot is a manual ballot that is completed by the voter who is unable to be present at the polls on Election Day. To be eligible for an absentee ballot, a voter must meet one of the following criteria:

●       Will be absent from town during all hours on voting day;

●       Have an illness which prevents them from voting at the polling place;

●       Have a permanent physical disability which prevents them from going to the polls;

●       Active duty in the US Military and away from home;

●       Have a religious tenet that forbids activities on Election Day.   

A voter who needs to vote by absentee ballot must first complete and submit an absentee ballot application. The applications are available through the local Town Clerk. After the absentee ballot application is received, the voter is given or mailed the actual absentee ballot. That ballot is completed by the voter and may be mailed, placed in a ballot box at the voter’s town/city hall or given to the Town Clerk. REMEMBER: Absentee Ballots must be received before 8 PM on Election Day. 

Advocacy Tip. Be very mindful of  the date of the election.

 

Emergency Ballot – This is an absentee ballot that may be requested by a voter who experiences a health crisis within 6 days of Election Day and the crisis prevents the voter from going to the polls. A voter can obtain an emergency ballot application by contacting their local Town Clerk’s office. The completed form must be returned to the Town Clerk's office. Once the application is approved at the Town Clerk’s office, they will provide an emergency ballot for the voter. The ballot is taken to the voter, completed and returned to Towns Clerk's office.  The emergency ballot must be completed and returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day. 

 

Curbside Voting  - If a voter has a disability or illness that prevents them accessing the polling place on Election Day, may arrange for curbside voting at the polling place. The ballot is brought outside to the voter by two designated polling officials.  The voter completes the ballot and the officials bring the ballot into the polling place and deposit it into the tabulator.  Curbside voting is only to be used on rare occasions when a voter can’t access the polls due to illness or injury that occurred close to the time of the Elections.

 

Advocacy Tip: If the voter needs to used curbside voting, they should contact the Registrar of Voters and arrange for assistance.

 

If you have questions about any of the ballots or would like to see samples, contact your local Registrars of Voters.