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Voting with the Accessible Touchscreen Voting Machine

For every election, each polling place will have one “Edge” accessible voting machine that allows voters with disabilities to vote independently and privately. The accessible voting machine will also be available during early voting in City Hall.

With the accessible voting machine, voters can vote either using a touchscreen or audio ballot. If you would like to use the accessible voting machine, please tell a pollworker.

Touchscreen Ballot

Voters can make ballot selections using a touchscreen and review their selections on a paper record before casting their vote. Large-print text is provided on the screen, and voters have the option to further increase text size.

Audio Ballot and Hand-held Keypad

For audio voting, the accessible voting machine is equipped with headphones and a Braille-embossed hand-held keypad with keys coded by color and shape.

When using the audio ballot feature, the voting machine will provides voters with audio instructions and guide them through the ballot. The keypad is used to move through the ballot and make selections. If you would like to use the audio ballot feature, please tell a pollworker.

Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch and Headpointers

The accessible voting machine also allows voters to connect a personal assistive device, such as a sip/puff device. A multi-user sip/puff switch and headpointer is available at the voting station in City Hall, or can be dispatched to a polling place on Election Day. To request that one of these devices be sent to your polling place, call (415) 554-4384, preferably 72 hours prior to Election Day.

Ranked-Choice Voting with the Accessible Voting Machine

For ranked-choice voting contest, the accessible voting machine will indicate through visual or audio instructions if a contest uses ranked-choice voting and will present one list of all the candidates. From this list, voters can select up to three candidates in order of preference. After each selection, there will be a visual or audio confirmation of the candidate’s ranking.

Touchscreen Voting Instructions

Step 1: Insert Voter Card Insert Voter Card into the yellow slot on the lower left-hand side of the machine.
Step 2: Select Language Select the language in which you want to vote. You can choose English, Chinese, or Spanish.
Step 3: Select Candidates and Ballot Measure Choices Make your selections by touching the candidate or choice for which you intend to cast your vote. A green check mark will appear in the circle indicating your selection. To change your selection, touch your selection again. The check mark will disappear and you can make a new selection.
After making your selection, touch the “Next” arrow button at the bottom of the screen to go to the next contest or measure. Touch the “Back” arrow button to return to the previous screen.
Step 4: Review Selections and Print Paper Record At the end of the ballot, a review screen is displayed showing all your selections. To change a selection, touch the box of the contest or measure and select a new candidate or choice. After completing your ballot review on screen, print and review a paper record of your ballot. A paper record will appear on the left side of the screen.
Step 5: Cast Ballot or Make Changes After verifying the paper record touch either “Cast Ballot” or “Make Changes.” Touch “Cast Ballot” to finish voting. The printer will show “Accepted” on the paper record. The voter card will eject for you to return to the poll worker. IMPORTANT! You cannot change your vote after “Cast Ballot ” is pressed. Touch “Make Changes” to change a selection. After you make a change you can review a new paper record of your ballot. IMPORTANT! You can print only two paper records of your ballot for review. After this you will need to cast your ballot.
Write-in Candidates To vote for a qualified write-in candidate, touch “Write-in” and a keyboard will appear on screen. Type the name of the candidate and press “OK.”
Increase Screen Text Size Touch the “ABC” button to enlarge the text on the screen.