C. Voting Machines
1. The Availability of Voter Assistance Voting Machines In The Polling Place
Illinois does provide electronic voting machines available for those who are physically or visually disabled.
A voter does not have to be disabled to request to use the electronic voting machine.
A voter cannot be forced to use a voting machine.
2. Voter Instruction On Using The Voting Machine
Every polling place which uses a electronic voting machine will also have a non-electric, mechanical version of the electronic voting machine. The mechanical version will be available to all voters to practice using the electronic voting machine. The mechanical version will have fictitious candidates and will not record votes.
If a voter requests further instruction on the electronic voting machine, two election judges from different parties will instruct the voter.
The election judges should not provide instruction on who or what to the voter is to vote for.
Instruction ceases upon the voter voting. Once the voter begins voting, the judges may return to their other duties.
The Poll Watcher's Duty
A poll watcher may observe the instruction.
A poll watcher may neither instruct nor comment on the instruction.
A poll watcher may challenge mistakes in instruction or perceived bias in the instruction, but that challenge must be made to the election judges and never to the voter.
Once the voter begins voting, the poll watcher is excused along with the election judges.
3. Testing the Voting Machine
Each in-precinct voting machine is tested at least five days before Election Day, and again before the polls open.
Electronic voting equipment not used in-precinct (e.g. early voting, grace period voting, voting centers) is tested immediately before the use.
Before the polls open, an election judge will check the equipment. The poll watcher can observe the election judge checking the equipment.
- See:
- Chapter 4B, Testing Electronic Voting Equipment
- Chapter 5A4, Before the Polls Open, Examine All the Electronic Voting Equipment