conventional ballot, which is then counted in the normal manner.
(Click here for larger image)
The AutoMark was jointly developed by Election Systems & Software (ES&S) and Automark Technical Systems to meet the requirements of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which calls for every precinct to have at least one voting device accessible to persons with disabilities, according to the companies.
According to its promotional brochure, the AutoMark is a stand-alone device that works with existing optical scan/mark sense voting systems. It combines Braille and audio in multiple languages with a conventional touchscreen display, and it includes a puff tube for voters unable to use the touchscreen.
The device is "designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way," ES&S says. "In addition, the technology provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking a different language or who need help to better understand written instructions."
The brains of the device consist of an embedded single-board computer (SBC) made by Applied Data Systems (ADS), running Microsoft's Windows CE 5.0 embedded operating system. According to ADS, the SBC is based on a 533 MHz Intel IXP425 network processor. The board includes a Silicon Motion SM501 graphics controller with 24-bit LVDS output that drives the system's LCD screen, and an AC 97 audio codec that supports 16-bit stereo input and output. The board also boasts low power consumption, which enables the AutoMark to continue running on batteries in the event of a power failure. ADS recently introduced an IXP425-based SBC, the
DataViewIXP, which has similar specs.
Based on the results of successful pilot programs conducted during last November's election, ES&S expects to begin shipping the AutoMark sometime this spring, it says.
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