City looks to improve voting for disabled residents

Marlborough - The city clerk in Marlborough wants people with disabilities to feel more comfortable voting.

Several dozen people, including Marlborough city councilors, wardens and clerks, attended a training session at Marlborough City Hall Aug. 14 designed to make voters more aware of the newest voting machines that offer an easier way to cast ballots.

The AutoMark machines have been in use at the city for the last three elections, since November 2007. But the Marlborough City Clerk Lisa Thomas said people should be more aware that the machines are available at each of the city's 14 polling locations.

The machines have been adapted to make them easier for people with disabilities to use. There is a headset that provides audio prompts for those with poor eyesight. There is also a touch screen, which makes it easier to fill out the ballots.

"It may be [good] for the folks who have a hard time filling in their little ovals because their hand shakes," Thomas said.

The new machines may not have a major impact on some of the city's voters who need the most help. Many elderly citizens currently do not need to use special machines because they can fill out absentee ballots in their nursing homes, often with the assistance of friends and family, Thomas said. That option is still available. But with the new machines, the choice in Marlborough is better than in past years, she added.

"I just want people to know they have another choice," Thomas said. "For those people who want to vote independently, this is the way to do it."

Two elections are looming; Tuesday Sept. 16 is the date for the primaries, and Tuesday Nov. 4, the general election will be held.

Thomas said she expects a good turnout in November. Over 9,000 people voted in the presidential primary, out of 19,212 registered voters, which was a turnout of 47 percent.