New voting machines give all voters privacy

Until this year, Somerville voters with disabilities would have to take someone with them into the voting booth if they needed assistance. Under the requirements of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the city will be getting new machines that provide assistance to the disabled.

“This allows voters of all ages and physical abilities to cast ballots at the polls,” said Elections Chairman Nicholas Salerno.

Each of the city’s 21 polling places will get an AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal, which were bought by the state. Each machine has Braille writing, touch screens and headphones where voters can listen to candidates’ names.

“This allows people to vote privately without a poll staffer,” Salerno explained.

Although the new machines will make it easier for the disabled to vote alone, Salerno said voters are still welcome to have help voting if they want it.

“You can still take someone with you if you want. You can take anyone you want to the polls with you,” he said.

According to a press release from Secretary of State William Galvin, the machines are made by Elections Systems & Software, an Omaha, Neb., company that will train election officials how to use the machines and provide maintenance.

“They will be eventually in 1,700 polling places around the state,” said Brian McNiff, the communications director for Galvin.