Even if you have a physical disability or are unable to read or write, you are still entitled t cast a private ballot!
Every polling place in Montana also must have at least one specialized voting machine that enables people with disabilities to vote independently and privately.
The Secretary of State’s office and the 56 counties of Montana have teamed up to offer the ES&S AutoMARK™, electronic ballot-marking technology that allows voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently when using an optical scan voting system.
When using the AutoMARK, you vote on the same ballot that all other voters are using. The AutoMARK does not store any votes, it simply assists you to mark your ballot. The AutoMARK is easy to use. Let the Election Judge at your polling place know if you would like to vote on the AutoMARK.
The ES&S AutoMARK™ voter assist terminal is a ballot-marking system designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way. The technology also provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking a different language or who need help to better understand written instructions.
There are also additional ways to vote an accessible, private ballot such as requesting an email ballot, designating an agent, and more. See page 5 for more information on additional accessible voting options.
