Electronic Voting, Spring 2020

Ahmann's 1987 patent

This patent is the first one I found that directly addresses the issue of access to voting technology for those with disabilities. It's a little, low-tech thing, and entirely obsolete since it applies only to Votomatic ballots. The important thing it illustrates is how simple and small a change to an existing device can address the needs of a significant population that was not served prior to this change.

Cummings 2006 patent

This patent is far more ambitious, attempting to make it possible for just about everyone with any kind of disability to vote by marking a paper ballot. It's big, it's expensive, and it has been widely deployed as an assistive device in many states (including Iowa). Election Systems and Software eventually bought the company.

It's worth looking back at Chapter 6 of the USCCR report discussed on Monday and asking: How many of the problems discussed there does this machine address?

Noel Runyan's 2004 experience

Noel Runyan has reported on his experience with accessible voting devices after just about every election since such devices became available. This 2004 report is one of his earlier reports.

Noel Runyan's 2007 Congressional Testimony

If you thought his 2004 report was grim, this makes it clear that technology is not advancing, in any useful sense of the word.