PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Contact:  Ginny Colbert (802) 828-2148

_________________________________________________________________________

Vermont’s Voters May Cast Votes Using the Vote-by-Phone Technology at the Polls

 Vermont’s Vote-by-Phone at the Polls option provides privacy and independence for Vermonters who need accommodations in order to exercise their right to vote.

Montpelier – This election every Vermont polling place will be equipped with an option for Vermonters who have difficulties filling out a paper ballot.  Using Vote-by-Phone technology, voters who have a hard time marking a paper ballot, especially those who are visually impaired, will be able to use the telephone keypad to mark their presidential primary ballots. 

Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said, “In Vermont there are an estimated 83,000 voting age citizens who live with disabilities; 3,000 of them are legally blind.  The Vote-by-Phone voting system is accessible and easy to use.” 

The Vote-by-Phone system reads the ballot to the voter who indicates his or her choices by pressing the corresponding numbers on the telephone key pad.  The system then generates a paper ballot, scans it and reads it back to the voter so that he or she may verify that the ballot is correct before casting it.  Markowitz said, “Any Vermonter who is interested in using Vote-By-Phone at the polls simply tells the election worker they wish to use the system.  The election worker will connect the voter to the system and will then pass the handset or headset to the voter who will use the phone to mark his or her ballot privately and independently.”  Markowitz added, “Poll workers have been advised that they may not ask whether the voter is disabled, and indeed, any Vermonter may choose to use the telephone voting system.”

 Those voters who choose not to use the Vote-by-Phone (at the polls) voting system have many other choices that are designed to make voting easy and convenient:

·         Voters may request that the town clerk send them an early absentee ballot and, once completed, the ballot can be returned by mail or by a person of their choice.

·         Voters who are sick or disabled may request that the town clerk send two justices of the peace to deliver a ballot to them on or before Election Day.

·         A voter may ask a person of their choice, or may ask two election workers, for assistance in reading and/or marking their ballot.

·         A voter who is unable to come into the polling place because of an illness or disability may ask that two election workers bring a ballot out to their car for voting on Election Day.

Any person who wishes to try out the Vote-by-Phone system may practice from their home any time prior to Election Day by calling, toll free, 866-486-3838.  Markowitz said, “We encourage voters to try out this new voting system before coming to vote on Election Day because we believe it will ensure that they are comfortable with the system prior to casting their vote.”

###

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2010

Contact: Olivia Gay  802-828-1296
__________________________________________________________________ 

 Honor A Vet With Your Vote Is Launched This Election Season

Montpelier Teacher and 5^th Graders Join Secretary of State Markowitz To Promote Voting In Honor Of A Veteran 

Montpelier.  On Monday, Oct. 25 at 11:00 am, Honor A Vet With Your Vote kicked off its 2010 campaign in front of City Hall on Main Street in Montpelier.  Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz was joined by Union Elementary School teacher, Kristie Bush, and her fifth grade students to distribute Honor A Vet With Your Vote buttons and talk about the importance of honoring those who have served and are serving our nation.  Markowitz said:  “During this time in our nation’s history where our service men and women are making such strong sacrifices, it’s important that we remember our veterans when we go to the polls on Election Day. The Honor A Vet With Your Vote program is one way to do just that.”

The Honor A Vet With Your Vote program provides personalized buttons to voters who wish to cast their vote in honor of a particular veteran or current service person.  Thousands of veterans have been honored this way since the program’s inception!  This year all Vermont town clerks have received the buttons for distribution. Buttons are also available by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at www.govotevermont.com.

Kristie Bush, Union Elementary School teacher, said:  "I try to engage my students by teaching them that voting is an important part of our democracy and being a good citizen. My hope is that the principles they learn as part of the voting exercise while in 5^th grade will remain with them, a memory they will carry forward when they are old enough to vote." 

Secretary of State Markowitz added:   “This is an opportunity for Vermonters to recognize those who have proudly served this country and worked to keep our democracy strong so that we have the right to vote!  This year we especially salute the Vermont National Guard for their commitments. Thank you for your help in honoring all those who serve our nation.”

For more information about this program contact Olivia Gay at 802-828-1296 or visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.govotevermont.com 

#30