ES&S AutoMark
How To Use
This Machine
Voice Over
The AutoMark is a ballot marking system designed to
permit a voter to privately and independently mark a ballot.
Voting on the ES&S AutoMark is easy.
To begin, insert your ballot into the machine.
Note: It takes two
to four minutes for the machine to display your ballot – depending on how much
information is on the ballot.
If using a two-part perforated ballot, detach the ballot
along the perforation and insert one part into the machine. (NOTE: Once you
have completed voting on the first part of the two-part ballot and your marked
ballot has been printed, you will need to insert and complete the second
portion.)
A prompt on the screen will let you know the AutoMark is
processing your ballot.
When ballots have been programmed with languages other
than English, you will be given a choice of language to select from.
You will be provided with instruction in both audio and
visual display
– carefully review the instructions - and select “next”
to proceed to your ballot.
At any time, you may choose to enlarge the letters on
screen by selecting the “Zoom In/Out” function. Or, you may choose to change
the display to from black letters on a white screen to white letters on a black
screen, by selecting the high-contrast function.
The AutoMark can provide you with audio instruction
through the use of headphones. And it
also provides access through sip-n-puff devices, tactile controls and paddle
devices. Let a poll worker know if you would like to use one of these options.
The AutoMARK includes an audio control keypad that
enables you to adjust volume, pause & repeat audio message, and even adjust
the audio tempo.
Tactile controls
audio pictures, headphones, etc.
Sip-N-Puff Device
If you choose to use the Sip-N-Puff option, you may
provide your own personal sip-n-puff device or use one provided by the Board of
Elections. Gloves are provided and used for sanitary purposes so each voter has
a clean straw.
The sip-n-puff device allows you to navigate through your
ballot selections using Sip or Puff inputs. When a screen prompts you, you may
select Sip to bypass that screen or Puff to move to the first selectable choice
on that screen.
When you are on a selectable item of the screen, the item
will be highlighted in yellow. Selecting Sip moves to the next selectable item
on the screen. Selecting Puff provides the same result as if you had clicked on
that item.
When on a candidate or question choice, Puff selects or
deselects that candidate. When on a More scrollbar, Sip causes the screen to scroll
up or down as indicated.
When on a screen button, Puff triggers that action. For
example, entering Puff when Zoom is highlighted causes the screen to zoom.
Entering Puff returns the screen to non-zoomed mode.
Selecting Sip at any time moves to the next highlighted
item. As you select Sip repeatedly, the highlight moves down the screen, across
the bottom from right to left, and then loops back to the top.
When you are done
making selections on any given screen, select Sip repeatedly until the Next
button is highlighted.
Select Puff to move to the next screen.
Paddle Device
You can also choose to mark your ballot using a paddle.
Plugging in the paddle device allows you to navigate through your ballot using
Yes or No inputs.
When a screen displays, you may select No to bypass that
screen or Yes to move to the first selectable choice on that screen.
When you are on a selectable item of the screen, the item
is highlighted in yellow. Selecting No moves on to the next selectable item on
the screen.
Selecting Yes provides the same result as if you had
clicked on that item.
When on a candidate or question choice, Yes selects or
deselects that candidate. When on a More scrollbar, No causes the screen to
scroll up or down as indicated.
When on a screen button, Yes invokes that action.
For example, entering Yes when Zoom is highlighted causes
the screen to zoom. Entering Yes again returns the screen to non-zoomed mode.
Selecting No at any time moves to the next highlighted item.
As you select No repeatedly, the highlight moves down the
screen, across the bottom from right to left, and then loops back to the top.
When you are done making selections on any given screen,
select No repeatedly until the Next button is highlighted.
Select Yes to move to the next screen.
Voting with the AutoMark
Once your ballot is loaded, you will begin to make
selections for each candidate or issue for which you intend to cast a vote. To
make a choice, select a candidate or issue, and your selection will be
displayed on the screen. If you are using headphones, your selection will be
confirmed with audio instruction.
To move through the ballot after you have voted on a page
– select next to move forward. At any time, you may select back to return to a
previous page.
The ESS Automark also allows you to enter a write-in
candidate.
To vote for a write-in candidate, select the oval next to
the word "Write-in." When the write-in oval is selected, the Write-in
screen is displayed. You can then select the letters and space bar on the
displayed keyboard to spell the name of the candidate.
Select the OK button when you have completed this
selection. The name of your write-in selection will appear on your ballot.
Once voting is complete, you can review your selections
on the summary screen before your ballot choices are printed on the ballot.
To change a selection that is displayed, you may then
select the Contest text box on the Summary screen. Select the original
selection to deselect that candidate’s name or choice.
Select the new choice, and then select the Next button to
return to the Summary screen. When satisfied with all selections, select the
Next button.
After you are satisfied with all your selections, you are
ready to mark your ballot. To do so, select the green blinking next button at
the bottom of the screen.
You will be asked to confirm that you would like to mark
your ballot by touching the “mark ballot” prompt.
The AutoMark will provide visual instruction and If you
are using an audio interface, you will receive and audio messages that the
ballot is being printed.
Printing Ballot and Independent Verification after Ballot
has been Printed
The next step depends on the specific machines used in
your polling place. Check with a poll worker to see if your machine will use
the AUTOCAST feature.
Using the AutoCast Feature
If you are voting on a machine that uses the AUTOCAST
feature, you will be provided with another summary screen. You will be prompted to select the green
blinking Next button.
To review your ballot choices you will be prompted by the
machine to select one of two options: Remove Ballot or Auto-Cast Ballot.
One option that you may choose from is to confirm your
ballot selections and have the machine pass your ballot out of the back of the
AutoMARK and fed into a locked and sealed ballot box. To do you, you will need to select the Right
arrow or forward button.
The other option which you may choose is if you are not
satisfied with the ballot selections is to have the AutoMARK “Present” or
remove and return to you the marked
ballot through the front feed tray to be to be spoiled. To do so, you will need to select the left
arrow or back button.
You must then return the spoiled ballot to the
appropriate Election Inspector.
To vote a replacement ballot, the appropriate Election
Inspector provides a replacement ballot to you.
You will need to begin a new voting session.
Not using AutoCast feature
If you are voting in a county that DOES NOT use the
AUTOCAST feature, the machine will return your ballot to you.
After a few seconds a “thank you for using the ESS
Automark” message will appear on the screen – this means you have successfully
completed voting your ballot.
Independent Verification after the Ballot is Printed
To verify your ballot choices After the ballot is
printed, you may insert the printed ballot back into the AutoMark.
The machine will provide you with both audio and visual
instructions.
When you are ready to begin the review of your printed
ballot, select the Green Next button.
You will be prompted with a summary review screen. Use the Up or Down arrow keys to scroll
through and review your ballot selections.
At the end of the review process, if you are satisfied
with your marked ballot, you will be prompted to select the Green Next button
or right arrow key to advance to the next screen and the ballot will be
returned to you.
If you are not satisfied with the ballot selections, when
prompted by the AutoMARK, select Return Ballot to you to be spoiled.
You must then return the spoiled ballot to the appropriate election inspector and
request a replacement ballot.
To vote a replacement ballot, the Election Inspector
provides a replacement ballot to you to begin a new voting session.
A privacy sleeve is provided for you to cover your ballot
choices during the transportation of the ballot in the polling place.
When you are satisfied with the completed printed ballot,
you will proceed to the ballot box and insert your voted ballot.
You have completed the voting process.
Accessibility Features
Voice Over
The AutoMark is a ballot marking system designed to permit a voter to privately and independently mark a ballot.
In addition, it provides audio assistance in the required
languages for use by voters in your poll site to permit voters who are more comfortable
navigating the system using audio instruction.
A sip-n-puff device is provided for voters who are not
able to use the touch screen or touch pad.
The Sip-N-Puff device allows you to navigate through your
ballot selections using Sip or Puff inputs.
One time use gloves and a straw are provided and used for
sanitary purposes, so each voter has a clean straw.
In addition, an audio function allows voters with
impaired vision to listen to choices through the use of headphones. You may adjust the volume, pause & repeat
audio messages, and even adjust the audio tempo.
One-time use headphones ear covers are provided and used
to provide each voter with sanitary audio access.
A zoom feature enables the voter to increase the font
display size of each contest listed on ballot.
The contrast of the screen may also be adjusted to
improve legibility by changing the display from black letters on a white screen
to white letters on a black screen, by selecting the high-contrast function.
You can also choose to mark your ballot using a
paddle. Plugging in the paddle device
allows you to navigate through your ballot using Yes or No inputs.
Asking For Assistance
Voice Over
Poll Workers are always available to provide you with any assistance you may need.
They will be stationed in various areas in your poll
site, including the area near the AutoMark, for easy access to you, should you
need or want their help.
Pollworkers are always on hand to provide instruction, or
when requested by you, to assist in the use of this equipment as directed by
you.
After you have completed sign-in, you’ll need to select
which voting machine works best for you.
The AutoMark voting machine has several features that are
available to any voter who needs them.
These features, such as providing audio messages through
the use of headphones, and provides access through Sip-N-Puff devices, tactile
controls and, where provided voting paddles, are available to any voter.